Minister Marais congratulates the Chrysalis Academy on 25 years of holistic youth development.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has congratulated the Chrysalis Academy for a remarkable 25 years of transforming the lives of youth in the Western Cape.
The negative impact of violent crime, substance abuse, gangsterism and a lack of employment opportunities for youth, necessitated the establishment of an institution to provide young people with the resilience and skills to rise above these social challenges. The Western Cape Government therefore founded the Chrysalis Academy Programme in 2000 with the aim of providing a platform for youth to deepen their resilience and unleash their potential through mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development.
The Chrysalis Academy offers a three-month intensive residential life skills and leadership development programme empowering young people to become self-confident and resilient leaders in their communities. The programme is structured to equip students with essential life skills and has been proven to be agile enough to adapt to the evolving social needs of young people. Graduates are afforded a one-year paid internship at organisations including the South African Police Service (SAPS), where the majority of students are placed. Approximately 12 000 graduates have successfully completed the programme over the past 25 years, and many are now working in state institutions like the SAPS, Department of Social Development and other public entities where they serve citizens in meaningful roles.
The Academy has grown significantly and now includes Youth Hubs in 14 high risk areas, a fully-fledged nature-based leadership development unit and a Multimedia Hub. Under the guidance of founder, Mark Wiley and leadership of outgoing CEO, Dr Lucille Meyer, the Chrysalis Academy positioned itself as a leader in the holistic development of at-risk youth in our country.
Minister Marais said,” Western Cape Government programmes like the Chrysalis Academy Programme play a central role in diverting at-risk youth from the lure of gang activity and substance abuse, providing them with life skills mentorship and pathways to employment. I congratulate Mark Wiley, Dr Lucille Meyer and the Chrysalis Academy Board for the vision and effective management of the Chrysalis Academy over the past 25 years ensuring a successful programme and the viability of the Chrysalis Academy as a leader in youth development.”
Media Enquiries
Kurt Nefdt, Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za