Youth of Lavender Hill were briefed on career opportunities they could pursue at a youth expo held on Monday 16 June, Youth Day.
Hundreds of young people attended the Western Cape Department of Social Development‘s (DSD) Provincial Youth Expo at the Lavender Hill Shared Facility.
The expo was organised in partnership with the City of Cape Town. “Since the advent of democracy, each year on this day South Africa remembers the sacrifices of those youth who stood up to apartheid forces in 1976,” DSD spokesperson Monique Mortlock-Malgas pointed out.
“The expo is an initiative designed to align with the Western Cape Provincial Youth Development Strategy (2013) and national youth development imperatives. It is aimed at encouraging and empowering young South Africans to engage with one another constructively, while also linking them with skills-development opportunities.”
Youth from across the metro attended the event, including young entrepreneurs who showcased their talents and businesses.
DSD owns and funds seven secure Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCC) for youth in conflict with the law and those who pose behavioural challenges, and funds 53 non-profit organisation CYCCs across the province for those in need of care and protection.
“DSD funds 12 Youth Cafés in the province, where youth, women and people with disabilities can find a safe space while undergoing training for their development,” said Malgas.
Jaden Cyster from Mitchells Plain is one of many young people have benefited from these Youth Cafés.
In an interview with People’s Post Cyster explained how he got involved with the programme.
“I first started out just as a normal youth coming to check it out. I then went through many programmes, such as a facilitation course. I started as a social-media intern at the [NGO] Blaq Pearl Foundation, which gave me a lot of help like internet and other resources. It really helped me on my career path. Now I work as communications officer for Alliance Francaise du Cape and study chemical engineering.”
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt told those present: “As young people you may be going through different challenges from the youth of 1976, but you also have the power to change history.
“You have the power to create change in your homes, in your communities, in your province and country.
“Do not let your circumstances dictate your future. I know of many young people, like those from our Child and Youth Care Centres, who have pushed forward with their dreams, despite being in foster care, or coming from a life of crime or drugs. They are a testament to the power of hard work, self-belief, and perseverance.”
He encouraged the young people to use all the opportunities available to them.
“As the Western Cape Government – along with the City of Cape Town and the businesses and organisations that partnered with us – we have numerous opportunities and programmes aimed at uplifting and inspiring you. But it is up to you to do the legwork and make your vision of a better life a reality. We will continue supporting our youth so they can contribute to their communities, this province and country in a meaningful way.”
According to Malgas, the department also subsidises 24 NPOs working in communities where many youth are not in employment, education and/or training.
They provide skills development training to young people.
Furthermore, young people attending the after-school programme at the Youth Cafés access resources and training such as digital literacy skills and academic support.
In the 2024-’25 financial period 14 856 youth participated in training and mentoring programmes offered by community-based organisations and Youth Cafés across the province, said Malgas.
So far, she added, 754 905 sanitary pad packs were distributed to over 300 schools and DSD CYCCs across the province, to promote the well-being, health, dignity and self-esteem of female learners as part of the department’s Sanitary Dignity Project.
