Minister Plato to host “Opportunities for Youth” outreach programme in Macassar

Today, Wednesday 4 March 2015, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, together with officials from the Department of Community Safety, will host awareness engagements in Macassar on the various youth safety partnerships available.

During the engagements, more information and relevant requirements will be made available to the Macassar community, non-governmental organisations operating in the community as well as the religious fraternity of Macassar on how to successfully partner with the Department of Community Safety towards a safer Macassar – Better Together.

We cannot allow a generation of youth to miss out on existing opportunities, both from the public and private sector, which will empower them to improve their own lives and the lives of their families.

Youth Safety and Religious Partnership

The Youth Safety and Religious Partnership programme will host a breakfast with religious leaders in the area to discuss the opportunity and requirements to partner with the Department of Community Safety during school holidays in order to provide holiday programmes for the youth in the area.

This programme is currently in its 3rd year and sees the Department of Community Safety partner with the religious fraternity in the Western Cape to target youth between the ages of 14 and 21 in 50 different areas across the province during the school holidays when these youth are most at risk of falling prey to negative social behaviours like drug abuse and gangsterism.

Programmes and activities 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.

Northlink Bursary partnership & Chrysalis Academy session

Since the beginning of 2015, the Department of Community Safety has embarked on numerous youth focused safety outreaches in our communities.

The Department of Community Safety has an existing partnership with Northlink College to assist in increasing youth safety by targeting our younger residents, who are unemployed and not studying to return to school, pursue further education or training, work towards careers and have all the information they need to make responsible choices and not fall victim to negative social behaviour like gangsterism and drugs.

This partnership has already provided more than 2000 study opportunities to youth at risk through Northlink’s bursary programme.

The Chrysalis Academy set up in the year 2000 runs a three month youth development programme for youth across the Western Cape who are not in employment, education, nor training, have a minimum Grade 9, no criminal record and who are residents of the Western Cape. 

Since inception, over 6500 have graduated.  Some are now in various fields in society, like the SAPS, SANDF, in business, youth development and as Instructors.

The various engagements serve as an interpersonal platform where the Department of Community Safety can inform Macassar residents and organisations operating in the area about the various programmes that exist within the Department to create safer communities.

There will be an opportunity for photographs and interviews.

Note: All media are invited to attend.

Youth Safety and Religious Partnership, religious leader’s breakfast
Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Time: 08:30 – 11:00
Venue: Macassar Civic Centre (Old Hall), Bind Avenue, Macassar

Northlink Bursary partnership & Chrysalis Academy session
Date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Time: 12:00 – 14:00
Venue: Macassar Civic Centre (Old Hall), Bind Avenue, Macassar