Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety
Youth holiday programmes already in full swing
Date: 13 December 2016
Release: Immediate
The Department of Community Safety’s youth holiday programmes are already in full swing, with a large majority of activities which started yesterday, 12 December 2016.
Over the weekend, I officially launched the Youth Safety and Religious Partnership (YSRP) programme in Chicago, Paarl East.
Too many children and youth have limited access to recreational opportunities particularly in high priority areas affected by crime and domestic violence and especially during school holiday periods.
Over the December 2016/January 2017 holiday period, the Department of Community Safety will partner with the religious fraternity in the province to operate 107 youth projects with the aim of reaching 10 880 youth during the school holidays.
I am pleased that, as a Department, we were able to extend our partnerships to the entire province for this festive period and thank all the faith based organisations who have come on board to help create educational and developmental alternatives for our youth during a period where they are often at risk of being exposed to negative social behaviours such as gangsterism and substance abuse.
Our joint commitment to the youth this festive season will see 85 projects implemented in identified priority areas such as Nyanga, Gugulethu, Drakenstein, Khayelitsha (Lingelethu & Harare) Villiersdorp, Saldanha Bay, Delft, Mfuleni, Kraaifontein, Mitchell’s Plain, Philippi East, Bishop Lavis, Manenberg, Imizamo Yethu and Masiphumelelel.
An additional 22 projects will be implemented in areas such as Beaufort West, Dysselsdorp, De Doorns, De Rust, Eerste River, Wellington, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Frasnchoek, Hanover Park, Klapmuts, Langa, Lavender Hill, Macassar, Ravensmead and Grassy Park.
The programmes on offer focus on awareness and prevention of drug-abuse, gangsterism, gender-based violence, child trafficking, HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancy and provide our youth with life skills development and practical safety tips. The programme includes sporting activities, song, dance, drama and cultural activities, movie screenings and youth dialogues.
I urge parents and youth alike to contact the Department for more information on the specific roll-out of programmes in your own area. For any further information re the YSRP programme and its rollout during the December/ January holidays, contact can be made with;
Mr. Mansour Lagkar, Deputy Director and Project Manager:
Office: 021 483 5621
Cellular: 0768292919
Email: Mansour.Lagkar@westerncape.gov.za
Ewald Botha, Spokesperson for Minister Plato
Cell: 079 694 1113