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The Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Adv. Albert Fritz, yesterday addressed more than 650 guests at the second annual Department of Social Development (DSD) Youth Excellence Awards.
The awards were held at the Cape Town City Hall, and are held in line with the Western Cape Government’s Provincial Youth Development Strategy, which enjoins us to celebrate and recognize the achievement of young people across the province.
The awards evening had winners which were divided into 3 categories (bronze, silver, and gold). There was an additional category for leadership and a special Ministerial Award. The category winners were;
Gold |
|
Name of winner |
Acknowledged for; |
Oasis |
Facilitating Youth Transitions and Change |
Mamelani |
Youth Identity and Belonging |
The Amy Biehl Foundation |
Youth Leadership Development |
The Sozo Foundation |
Creating Youth Opportunities |
Rural Arts Network |
Rural Development |
The Pebbles Project Trust |
Youth Education, Training and Skills Development |
Columba Leadership Trust |
Youth Leadership Development |
Silver |
|
Name of winner |
Acknowledged for; |
Khululeka Grief Support |
Facilitating Youth Transitions and Change |
St Anne's Homes |
Facilitating Youth Transitions and Change |
Net Vir Pret |
Youth Sports, Arts & Culture |
Rainbow Arts Organisation |
Youth Sports, Arts & Culture |
Indoni Dance Arts and Leadership Academy |
Youth Sports, Arts & Culture |
Access Trust |
Youth Education, Training and Skills Development |
SAILI Scholarship Programme |
Youth Education, Training and Skills Development |
Bronze |
|
Name of winner |
Acknowledged for; |
Sunny Sky |
Youth Job Creation, Economic Opportunities and Entrepreneurship |
Iliso Care Society |
Creating Youth Opportunities |
Communiversity SA |
Youth Education, Training and Skills Development |
Make Your Mark |
Youth Engagement and Participation |
Laphumilanga Youth Development Association
|
Youth Engagement and Participation |
Leadership |
|
Name of winner |
Acknowledged for; |
Simone van den Berg |
|
Lusanda Gwayi & Laurian Nortje |
Starters of the organization, ‘Dream Factory’, which …. |
Special Ministerial Awards |
|
Name of winner |
Acknowledged for; |
Joel Greek |
12 year old boy with visual impairment from Athlone School for the Blind, who is the winner of international literary essay competition, and recognized youth writer. He has also been honoured further by a Japanese writing society. |
Henriette Weber |
WC Director of Centre for the Performing Arts, honoured for her service and leadership |
Craig Jephta |
Role model and Rocklands Youth Café Manager |
Sistahood Girls Club |
Change makers, and innovating in girl-child empowerment methods. |
The evening had a festive tone and the guests representing over 50 organizations from civil society, the public sector, and the private sector, enjoyed an evening of performances from young people in the dramatic arts, cultural groups and musicians.
In his address, Minister Fritz emphasised the need for a whole-of-society approach to youth development. “The whole-of-society approach is about government, the private sector, civil society and communities partnering to empower and create opportunities for young people,” said Minister Fritz.
The Western Cape Government this financial year will spend in excess of R54.8-million on youth development, which represents just over 17% of the overall provincial budget of R5.4-billion. DSD alone spends R12.7-million on youth development projects, which funds six Youth Cafes and 28 NGOs working with youth.
Minister Fritz concluded the evening my saying, “our efforts in government to develop and empower young people cannot succeed in isolation. I am making the call to you, the people of this wonderful province to take up the clarion call, and work with our young people. Let us create new opportunities and industries. Let us create the enabling environment and a society for our young people that is based on freedom, fairness and opportunity. We can empower all young people if we continue to work, ‘Better Together”.
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development
Western Cape Government
7th floor, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8000
Tel : (021) 483 9217
Cell : 076 083 6543
Email : Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za