Second annual DSD Youth Excellence Awards addressed by MEC Fritz

The Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Adv. Albert Fritz, yesterday addressed more than 650 guests at the second annual Department of Social Development (DSD) Youth Excellence Awards.

The awards were held at the Cape Town City Hall, and are held in line with the Western Cape Government’s Provincial Youth Development Strategy, which enjoins us to celebrate and recognize the achievement of young people across the province.

The awards evening had winners which were divided into 3 categories (bronze, silver, and gold). There was an additional category for leadership and a special Ministerial Award. The category winners were;

The evening had a festive tone and the guests representing over 50 organizations from civil society, the public sector, and the private sector, enjoyed an evening of performances from young people in the dramatic arts, cultural groups and musicians.

In his address, Minister Fritz emphasised the need for a whole-of-society approach to youth development. “The whole-of-society approach is about government, the private sector, civil society and communities partnering to empower and create opportunities for young people,” said Minister Fritz.

The Western Cape Government this financial year will spend in excess of R54.8-million on youth development, which represents just over 17% of the overall provincial budget of R5.4-billion. DSD alone spends R12.7-million on youth development projects, which funds six Youth Cafes and 28 NGOs working with youth.

Minister Fritz concluded the evening my saying, “our efforts in government to develop and empower young people cannot succeed in isolation. I am making the call to you, the people of this wonderful province to take up the clarion call, and work with our young people. Let us create new opportunities and industries. Let us create the enabling environment and a society for our young people that is based on freedom, fairness and opportunity. We can empower all young people if we continue to work, ‘Better Together”.