New partnership to open doors for vulnerable youth
A new 10-year partnership between the Western Cape Government and the Interactive Science Foundation is set to unlock internship opportunities and pathways to employment for young people, and to support vulnerable communities across the province via the Cape Care Fund.
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 to solidify the partnership between the Western Cape Department of Social Development (WCDSD), and the Interactive Science Foundation, operating as the Cape Town Science Centre.
The Cape Town Science Centre will make internships available to eligible young WCDSD beneficiaries, who may not previously have had access to these types of life-changing opportunities that can improve their prospects of employability and success.
The programme will be operated from a building in Observatory that has been made available by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure.
The Cape Town Science Centre has also agreed to invest in the Cape Care Fund, an initiative created by WCDSD and The Health Foundation of South Africa, to help strengthen communities across the province by connecting donors to vetted, high impact social sector projects.
Cape Town Science Centre Managing Director, Steven Sack said: "The 14th April 2026 will go down in the history of the Interactive Science Foundation, as a watershed moment, in which a new relationship was ushered in between the Cape Town Science Centre, the Cape Care Fund and the Provincial Departments of Social Development and Infrastructure. We were fortunate to have present at the signing ceremony, Prof Mike Bruton, who was the founding Director of our science centre, and in speaking, he confirmed the wisdom of having the Department of Social Development as the key strategic partner in Government.
“It was confirmed by all who attended that the idea of the Department of Infrastructure, to include the Department of Social Development was inspired. The inclusion of the Cape Care Fund, in the agreement, will be of significant benefit to the community of NPO's that support the social programmes," said Sack.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt said: “Partnerships are at the heart of what we do at the Cape Care Fund. By bringing together government, the private sector, and the non-profit sector, we are creating real, sustainable opportunities for young people who need them the most. This agreement is about more than training, it’s about helping young people build independent futures.”
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers said: “While our primary mandate is the management of the provincial property portfolio, we recognise that our buildings are not just bricks and mortar; they are strategic tools for empowerment. By providing this space to the Interactive Science Foundation, we are enabling the Cape Town Science Centre to continue its vital work in promoting science literacy, education equity, and youth development. As the Department of Infrastructure, we are proud to provide the foundation, literally and figuratively, for this partnership.”
The Health Foundation of South Africa Chief Executive Office, Harry Grainger said: “The Health Foundation is extremely honoured to be part of this collaboration in support of the community needs through the Cape Care Fund.”
Media Enquiries
Esther Lewis
Head of Communications
Department of Social Development
Email: Esther.Lewis@westerncape.gov.za