This year we celebrate our youth under the theme: Youth action for economic freedom in our lifetime.
It’s been 39 years since the Soweto Uprising on 16 June 1976, when 15 000 students gathered outside the Orlando West Secondary School, to participate in a peaceful march against the use of Afrikaans in their classrooms.
Police responded violently to the march, which led to the brutal death of Hector Petersen, a 12-year old pupil and 175 others. This violent attack caught the attention of international communities, who placed sanctions on the apartheid government to end racial oppression.
Their struggle reminds us that our youth play an important role in shaping our country’s development.
Let us help you shape your future
While the youth of 1976 fought against the system of the apartheid government, our youth of today face new challenges.
High levels of unemployment and poverty are serious challenges, but a better future is possible if we take small steps together.
The Western Cape Government’s Youth Development Strategy (YDS) takes on a whole-of-society approach and guides the programmes aimed at young people in our province. Our goal is to equip youth with the skills and tools needed to lead a life of value, and is based on five pillars.
These include:
The YDS has brought about projects like our Youth Cafés which offer skills development programmes. Other programmes aimed at youth skills development in the province include:
Apply for this programme if you’d like to tutor primary and high school learners. Year Beyond is an educational outreach programme that aims to assist underperforming schools, while giving you the opportunity to gain new skills.
Premier’s Advancement of Youth (PAY) project
Started by Premier Helen Zille, this project aims to provide young people with the opportunity to gain workplace experience in the Western Cape Government. Applications for 2016 open early next year.
From engineering to accounting, use this page to find a bursary and kick start your future.
The Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth (MOD) Programme aims to create a socially inclusive, creative and active Western Cape.
These centres provide recreational and sport activities across the province, including employment and skills development programmes.
How you can get involved this Youth Month
We have several exciting events planned for this month. Here’s what you can look out for:
The National Youth Development Agency plays a key role in young people’s development in our country. Get involved in their Youth Month activities, or apply for micro-finance grants for young entrepreneurs.