More than 4100 apply to train at Chrysalis

Statement by the Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen.

I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all the young men across the Western Cape, between the ages of 18 and 25 years who applied to form part of the Chrysalis Academy’s 23 CHARLIE male course. The response has been overwhelming with 4 178 applications received. This clearly demonstrates the value and significance our young people see in the programme.

Applications for this lifechanging course, where 230 young men are being considered, opened on 1 June 2023 and closed on 31 July 2023. This is for the January 2024 intake. To date:

- 655 applications have been captured; 

- 523 are being captured and

- 3000 emails still need to be processed.

Applicants are being screened to ascertain whether as an initial step, they meet the criteria, which includes:  

1. Being a male between 18 and 25 years old;

2. Have passed at least grade 9/standard 7 in a mainstream school;

3. Not be in employment, education or training;

4. Have no criminal record and 

5. A resident of the Western Cape.

Upon the completion of the screening process, successful applicants will receive a text message, in which they will be invited to an interview. Included in the interview process is vetting, along with fitness and drug testing.

Should an applicant not have received any feedback, they are welcome to call on 021 712 1023 towards the end of September 2023, to obtain clarity as to why they were not contacted.

I am also pleased that successful female candidates for the 23 BRAVO, female course are currently being informed. Their course will commence on 2 September 2023.

The Chrysalis Academy is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) and the academy has seen more than 10 000 graduates, since 2000. 

The course consists of various phases, and amongst others, the students will receive training in first aid, basic cookery, security training, peace officer, welding, office administration and electrical circuitry. The programme commences with an induction, personal mastery, emotional intelligence, leadership, diversity, inclusion, how to make beds, drilling and fitness. Along with this, there is also a curriculum in healthy living, environmental awareness and conflict management, which is all done in an effort to develop important life skills. 

The programme has changed the lives of thousands of young people already. Upon completion of the course, graduates are also offered a 12-month employment opportunity through our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and are placed in various entities. This is amongst others, inclusive of Western Cape Government departments, municipalities and the South African Police Service. These young people are part of our bigger pool of safety ambassadors and are championing Chrysalis’ vision in their respective communities. 

Both the young women that will commence in less than a month’s time and the young men certainly have a lot to look forward to. They should be prepared for the growth and development that will occur.