More than 600 youth gathered in Vrygrond Avenue to watch and participate in Youth Day activities hosted by the Where Rainbows Meet Training and Development Foundation on Thursday 16 June.
Programme organiser Kyle Cupido from Where Rainbows Meet says the event was a great success, especially after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.
“After two years away from having our youth programme in the streets of Vrygrond, we were back with a huge bang.
“Lockdown in 2020 and 2021 hindered our activities. The aim of the event was to encourage the youth to express themselves and to know that they are important to their community.”
The Cape Town ST car club (named after the Ford Focus ST) arrived with six of their vehicles while Muizenberg police and law enforcement officers shared a message on safety and community involvement.
“The youth who participated belonged to our youth development programmes. One of the programmes was the performance arts programme for anyone who wants to learn to dance freestyle, hip-hop or African dance. The youth was very excited to participate in the programme,” says Cupido.
The event included numerous performances by youth from Vrygrond, Overcome Heights, Lavender Hill and even Nyanga.
Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr, who attended the event, says the youth are very talented.
“I thoroughly enjoyed watching the youngsters dancing and drumming. We really do have talented youth. One moment really stood out to me; a brave young girl, soft voice trembling, stood in front of a crowd and opened up about her attempted suicides.
“About bullying, about the importance of being kind. I know how much courage it takes to stand in front of a group of people and to allow yourself to be vulnerable.
“Words matter and words change lives. Words shape our youth. Treat each other with kindness. Be gentle with each other. We are all struggling in our own ways. Let our words be used to lift each other up.”
Mymoena Scholtz, founder and CEO of Where Rainbows Meet, says working with positive young people is heart-warming.
“What I see every day breaks my heart but also, at the same time, working and engaging with so many positive young people warms my heart and I know a bright future awaits them.
“Yesterday (16 June), I spoke to a group of young men and all they want is to be accepted for who they are.
“Our youth are so young but yet carry he world on their shoulders and those challenges that they face sometimes lead to suicide.”
She adds that they are proud of the youth who showcased their talents on Youth Day.
“I am also overwhelmed by the fact that so many youths went through our development programmes and whose lives have changed for the better. We rise by uplifting each other.”
