Ms Gladys Ma-awu (62) from Mossel Bay, last week used her pension grant to ensure that her son could be part of 213 young men that entered the 22 BRAVO course at the Chrysalis Academy.
Ms Ma-awu said: “I could not let my son miss this opportunity to be empowered and trained. This place provides a great chance for my child to be developed and I knew that he had to get there. Our initial lift disappointed us, and we had to make an alternative plan. I thank those at Chrysalis who paid my pension grant back.”
The 22 BRAVO intake is the commencement of a three-month development and empowerment course. The Chrysalis Academy is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) and commenced in the year 2000. The academy, which targets young people aged 18 -25, has to date already seen more than 10 000 graduates.
These young people are from various communities across the Western Cape, such as Mitchells Plain, Delft, Khayelitsha, Vredenburg, Hermanus, Bredasdorp, Gansbaai, Grootbrak, Mossel Bay and many others.
The course consists of various phases, and amongst others, the students will receive training in First Aid, Basic Cookery, Office Administration, Security Training, Peace Officer, Welding, Office Administration and Electrical Circuitry. The current focus is being placed on Induction, Personal Mastery, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Diversity, Inclusion, how to Make Beds, Drilling and Fitness. Later this week they will start with Healthy Living, Environmental Awareness and Conflict Management, which is all done in an effort to develop important life skills.
Minister Reagen Allen said: “I express my sincere gratitude to Ms Ma-awu for her efforts. This pensioner’s resilience is quite humbling and emotional, and I do hope her son will make her proud by not only completing the course, but by also going the extra mile for her. I’d like to wish every young person all the best as they embark on this life changing journey. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain a number of skills and use that as they move forward in life.”
Minister Reagen Allen continued: “Upon the successful completion of the course, the young men can look forward to a 12-month long paid career opportunity, which will commence immediately after their graduation. These young people will amongst others be placed at municipalities, clinics, libraries and the SAPS. In addition to this, and as part of the continued manner in which graduates are developed and assisted, a 5-year after-care support programme will be available to them, so that they are able to reach their full potential.”
“I also thank Dr Lucille Meyer and her staff for reimbursing Ms Ma-awu. Under Dr Meyer’s stewardship, the Chrysalis Academy continues to make a significant difference in the lives of many young people across our province, and for this they should all be commended. As an innovative government that prioritises safety, we have to find ways to expand the successes of the Chrysalis programme. It is critical that more young people are provided with these types of opportunities, right at their doorstep,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Reagen Allen
Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 0103 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)