Youth Café launched in Riversdale

The Western Cape’s Social Development MEC, Sharna Fernandez, launched her department’s twelfth Youth Café in Riversdale, in the Garden route, in partnership with the Hessequa Municipality.

Youth Cafés objective is to create safe, creative spaces for young people, aged 16 to 35, to develop their potential and access opportunities.

"Youth Cafés offer young people the opportunity to acquire job readiness skills, gain entrepreneurial insights and training, and learn how to access funding opportunities, as well as practical training programmes across various sectors. They offer an accessible environment where young people may also find a sense of belonging among like-minded peers,’’ said Fernandez.

‘’I am mindful of the importance of Youth Development. The importance of such services could not come at a better time, especially as we continue to mitigate the economic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. An investment in the youth is an investment in the future," added Fernandez.

For the current financial year, R14.9 million has been budgeted towards ensuring that at least 10 000 youth in the province are provided with opportunities to access skills and personal development programmes.

 

The programme targets the most vulnerable and valuable youth, with a focus on the following:

·        Life and personal skills development;

·        Work skills development;

·        Leadership development;

·        Mentoring;

·        Internships through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and;

·        Informal skills development.

SUPPLIED: WCGDSD

Done By: Mitchum George