- For Seth Jacobs, being part of the 2023 Junior City Council (JCC) was the opportunity of a lifetime.
- “The Junior City Council presented itself as an opportunity for me to learn more about local governance in our city and hone my leadership skills,” he says. “My biggest take away from this experience is that when given the chance, our youth has a voice and a vision for our city.”
- As a city-led and apolitical initiative, the JCC programme offers an invaluable opportunity for Grade 10 and 11 learners in Cape Town to gain a deeper understanding of the City Council’s operations.
For Seth Jacobs, being part of the 2023 Junior City Council (JCC) was the opportunity of a lifetime.
“The Junior City Council presented itself as an opportunity for me to learn more about local governance in our city and hone my leadership skills,” he says. “My biggest take away from this experience is that when given the chance, our youth has a voice and a vision for our city.”
As a city-led and apolitical initiative, the JCC programme offers an invaluable opportunity for Grade 10 and 11 learners in Cape Town to gain a deeper understanding of the City Council’s operations.
“The JCC programme provides participating young minds with a unique platform to serve as City Ambassadors, develop essential leadership skills, hone their community project management abilities, expand their knowledge of local government and its mandates; and foster a sense of active citizenship,” says the City in a statement.
“I definitely toy with the idea of a career in government. If not that, then a career in aerospace engineering,” Seth says.
Part of the programme, the junior councillors were encouraged to arrange and participate in a charity project. Having chosen to collect goods for babies born to homeless mothers, his project won him some recognition at the close of the 2023 council.
“As my project was aimed at babies born to homeless mom’s, those innocent lives were my motivation. I come from a family where community service is no stranger to us. I enjoy serving others and I will continue in this vein,” he says.
The baby boxes contained a variety of essential items handed over to a local maternity clinic for distribution to mothers in need.
Seth, from Mitchell’s Plain, is now a Grade 11 learner at Groote Schuur High School and was in Grade 10 during his tenure.
Applications for the 2024 JCC closed at the end of December and is an opportunity for Grade 10 and 11 learners.
For his peers, Seth says: “I am a firm believer that opportunities do not come to those who are not ready so grab any and all opportunities that come your way with both hands. Get involved in your community. As cliché as it sounds, be the change that you want to see in your community.”
Jean Jacobs, Seth’s mother, says joining the JCC is an experience he can cherish.
“I am grateful that Seth had this opportunity as it gave him insight into how our City is run, it gave him opportunities to meet public leaders such as Alderman Felicity Purchase and our very own Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis – who also gave the JCC a master class on public speaking, which is one of Seth’s passions. This experience has polished values such as tolerance, gratefulness and a stellar work ethic, traits that have been instilled in Seth since a very young age.”
