Youth Month: Hope can be found if you look for it

Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez:

It is all too easy, when bombarded by negative stories of load shedding, slow economic growth, and high unemployment rates, to find yourself expecting only doom and gloom from government.

For young people, especially those living in crime hotspots and low-income areas, it may be easy to believe the future is bleak. But all is not lost, especially in the Western Cape, where we as the provincial government are doing all we can to bring hope back to our communities.

On Youth Day, 1 300 youth from different towns in the Eden Karoo region gathered in George for the Provincial Youth Expo, hosted by the Western Cape Department of Social Development (WCDSD) and partners.

The George Civic Centre was brimming with excited young people, some of whom are supported through the Department’s social welfare and community development interventions, including youth in foster care, Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) and youth not in employment, education and/or training (NEET).

Young entrepreneurs showed off their businesses, providing inspiration to those seeking alternative employment opportunities and demonstrating that the youth can succeed and forge their own paths.

This event showcased the commitment by the Department, NGOs, and private sector to invest in youth development in rural communities, the talents and ingenuity of youth entrepreneurs, and the wide spectrum of job and education opportunities available.

In the last financial year, the WCDSD spent R17 million on youth development programmes. And this excludes internship programmes, skills development and bursary support seen in other departments of the Western Cape Government.

Youth in high-risk areas face a range of socio-economic challenges like poor educational outcomes, limited employment opportunities, exposure to, and experience of Gender-Based Violence, substance abuse, crime, and violence. The COVID pandemic certainly exacerbated the employment crisis and led to an increase in the need for support services provided by our provincial department.

The department has 12 funded Youth Cafés in the province, which aim to provide a safe space for the development of youth, women and Persons with Disabilities whilst undergoing training. The youth attending the After School Programme at these Cafés access resources and training (which include online training opportunities, digital literacy skills and competencies, virtual as well as academic support from Youth Café staff). The programme has reached more than 2 500 learners thus far offering each one hope for a brighter future.

This is in line with Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which seeks to improve access to economic opportunities and employability of individuals, especially in “non-metro” communities. Job creation is a priority for the provincial government as it provides opportunities and dignity to residents.

The training at Youth Cafés will equip the youth with the necessary competencies, mentoring and will link them to further opportunities, services, and support to develop aspirations, motivation and develop agency with the aim of becoming self-sufficient, whilst maintaining the safety of clients and service providers.

Last year, over 14 500 young people were trained in various skills, which enable them to enter further opportunities and be prepared for possible employment.

We can’t forget about youth in conflict with the law. An increase in youth in conflict with the law has been observed in the Eden Karoo region, another reason why an event like the Provincial Youth Expo is so imperative. We need to show young people there are indeed opportunities and resources available to them. It gives them hope and a sense of purpose.

To support youth at risk, the Department provides access to psychosocial, therapeutic, and statutory support services, such as school-based crime prevention programmes which focus on life skills, mentoring, anti-bullying, and substance use disorder awareness and prevention.

These are just some of the ways the Department supports the development of youth.

But this is just a drop in the ocean when one looks at the incredible need versus our limited resources, especially with 2.5 million youth between the ages of 15 and 34 in the province.

I’m certain that with continued – and hopefully increased – partnerships with municipalities, NGOs, NPOs, corporates, and active community members, we can turn the potential of the young people of the Western Cape, into hope and action.

For information on WCDSD’s services, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office.