Planet Youth aims to help communities raise healthier and happier teens

The Western Cape Government officially launched the Planet Youth initiative at Mondale High School in Mitchells Plain on Thursday, 24 July 2025. Planet Youth is a programme that empowers communities to work together in supporting young people to make positive life choices and build bright futures by creating safer and healthier environments. The launch took the form of an open and interactive dialogue with families, caregivers, teachers and changemakers of Mitchells Plain to work together to support young people growing up in the area.

The initiative, spearheaded by Mireille Wenger, the MEC for Health and Wellness, falls under the Violence Prevention Unit of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.

‘’Every young person in our province deserves the opportunity to thrive, to be healthy, to feel safe, to be seen and to feel that you belong. And today we're launching Planet Youth Western Cape Planet Youth - it is not just a programme, it’s a movement, a global model that started in Iceland and has since spread to over 19 countries because it works. At its core, Planet Youth is about prevention, stopping harm before it starts, especially when it comes to mental health and substance use, but it does this in a deeply human and community based way by creating environments where young people have more of the things that help them to stay healthy, happy, and safe. These are protective factors things like support, purpose, connection, and joy that act as buffers against harm and help young people to thrive.’’

Initially piloted in George in 2023, Planet Youth is now being expanded across the province. The model aims to place the voices of young people at the centre of interventions, enabling them to make positive life choices and build brighter futures.

‘’What makes Planet Youth truly special is that it places young people at the center. It's not about government telling communities what they need, it's about listening, really listening. Between April and June 2025, 50 000 grade eight and nine learners at 123 schools across the province took part in our anonymous survey. Through this, we are learning about our young people's emotional well-being, their coping strategies, their relationships, and how connected they feel to the people and places around them. This is only the beginning. We are repeating this survey every two years not for the sake of having data but so that you, we and us can respond to what our children are telling us to make sure our services, our schools, our neighborhoods are giving them what they need to grow into happy healthy adults.’’

COURTESY: MEC David Maynier

‘’Planet Youth is not a quick fix. It's a long term evidence based approach that recognizes something that we already know in our hearts. It takes a village to raise a child. We need a whole of society, we need families, schools, faith based organizations, researchers, sports coaches, librarians, police, community leaders, all of us pulling in the same direction. Our partners on this journey include our Department of Health and Wellness, Education, Social Development, Cultural Affairs and Sports, Mobility, the South African Police Service, Municipalities, University of Cape Town, and so many local organisations. Together we're saying we're not only trying to change behavior but change the environment that you grow up in so that every child knows that they are supported, that they matter, and that they are never alone,’’ added Wenger.

Head of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, Dr Keith Cloete, said a whole of society is needed to ensure the initiative is a success.

‘’The whole idea of this movement is for us to turn our collective ears to listen to you [the 13 & 14-year-olds] and for us to say, we are here for you. We are genuinely interested in what you have to say. The second group that I would like to speak to now you don't have to be a parent of a 13 and a 14 year old, but it's all the parents, caregivers, people that step in to look after children. If a whole society come together and say, we bring our hearts to the center of society, and we place it where it matters. We look out for every child and every young person. That is our future. We are invested.’’

More than 49 000 learners from 123 schools participated in the Planet Youth survey in the Western Cape. A Mondale High School learner, Imaan Dire, shared her journey with the Planet Youth survey conducted at her school.

‘’One of the coolest things about this programme is that it listens to us - the students. It also helps parents understand how it's possible for them to really help their children because if I'm being honest, not many of our parents know what's actually happening within our lives. Everything is done with the goal of keeping young people away from negative influences while still giving them the required opportunities for them to succeed in life. I believe that Planet Youth is a great step toward a brighter future for young South Africans. If we all work together, students, teachers, communities, and leaders, we can create safer schools, healthier friendships, and better choices for everyone.’’

SUPPLIED - WCGov: Imaan Dire, Mondale H.S learner sharing her experience of Planet Youth

Premier Alan Winde gave his full backing to the Planet Youth initiative,

"By investing in the well-being of our youth through a coordinated, data-led approach, we can create safer, healthier and more prosperous communities for generations to come. This is more than a programme, it is a call to action for parents, educators, leaders, and community members to work with our youth in preparing them for their future. If we offer them the skills and knowledge they need to get jobs, we can future-proof our province and economy."

PHOTO - Mitchum George: Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde

Margret Lilja Gudmundsdottir, the Chief Knowledge Officer of Planet Youth, addressed the crowd. She says over 49 thousand youth participated in the survey, which she says, was the highest response rate from 19 countries

‘’ Already mentioned, over 49 000 learners participated in the Planet Youth Survey and let me be more precise – 49 094, and we are counting everyone because every child matters. One of the highest response rate was received in Western Cape among all 19 countries and more than 55 partners that are currently implementing the Planet Youth Guidance programme. The province recorded an 89% response rate.’’

‘’Parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, professionals, policy makers, you are that village, and your role is critical. The children have spoken. Now we have the opportunity to listen and act truly. Let's honor their courage by turning data into decision, evidence into empowerment, and communities into engines of prevention.’’

PHOTO - Mitchum George: Margret Lilja Gudmundsdottir, the Chief Knowledge Officer of Planet Youth,

Results is expected to be available in August 2025.

PHOTO: Mitchum George

Done By: Mitchum George