DSD Provincial Youth Expo

DSD Provincial Youth expo brings together future changemakers

On 16 June 2025, hundreds of young people celebrated Youth Day at the Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Provincial Youth Expo in Lavender Hill, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.

Since the advent of democracy, each year on this day, South Africa remembers the sacrifices of those youth who stood up to Apartheid forces in 1976.

The expo is an initiative designed to align with the Western Cape Provincial Youth Development Strategy (2013) and national youth development imperatives. It is aimed at encouraging and empowering young South Africans to engage with one another constructively, while also linking them with skills development opportunities.

Youth from across the metro attended the event, as well as young entrepreneurs who showcased their talents and businesses.

DSD funds 12 Youth Cafés in the province, where youth, women, and persons with disabilities can find a safe space while undergoing training for their development.

Many young people like Jaden Cyster from Mitchells Plain have benefited from these Youth Cafés, run by DSD-funded organisations. She said, “I first started out just as a normal youth coming to check it out. I then went through many programmes, like a facilitation course. I started as a social media intern at the [NGO] Blaq Pearl Foundation, they gave me a lot of help like internet and other resources. It really helped me in my journey and career. Now I work as a communications officer for Alliance Francaise du Cape and studying chemical engineering.”

Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Minister Londt told the attendees, “As young people, you may be going through different challenges as the youth of 1976, but you also have the power to change history. You have the power to create change in your homes, in your communities, in your province, and country. Do not let your circumstances dictate your future. I know of many young people, like those from our Child and Youth Care Centres, who have pushed forward with their dreams, despite being in foster care, or coming from a life of crime or drugs. They are a testament to the power of hard work, self-belief, and perseverance.”

He encouraged the participants to use all the opportunities available to them.

“As the Western Cape Government – along with the City of Cape Town and the businesses and organisations that partnered with us – we have numerous opportunities and programmes aimed at uplifting and inspiring you. But it is up to you to do the legwork and make your vision of a better life a reality. We will continue supporting our youth so they can contribute to their communities, this province and country in a meaningful way. Thank you to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the City of Cape Town, and all the partners who helped us make this event such a success!”

DSD owns and funds seven secure Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCC) for youth in conflict with the law and those that pose behavioural challenges, and funds 53 Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) CYCCs across the province for those in need of care and protection.

The department also subsidises 24 NPOs to work in communities where there are youth not in employment, education and/or training. These organisations provide skills development training to young people.

Furthermore, young people attending the After-School programme at the Youth Cafés access resources and training such as digital literacy skills and academic support. During the 2024/2025 financial period, 14 856 youth participated in training and mentoring programmes offered by Community-based Organisations and Youth Café across the Province.

In the same period, 754 905 sanitary pad packs were distributed to over 300 schools and DSD CYCCs across the province, to promote the wellbeing, health, dignity and self-esteem of female learners as part of the department’s Sanitary Dignity Project.

We call on the private sector and residents to support efforts by the department and partner organisations, to assist girls from impoverished backgrounds in ways that provide dignity and care.

For more information about the Department’s services, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit our website.