The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape has allocated R60 million towards supporting at-risk youth. The department has recognised the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report, which highlights youth disillusionment and alienation as an emerging risk. This risk is particularly acute in South Africa with our rising youth unemployment.
To address this, the department plans to expand youth service opportunities and create bridges that connect youth to opportunities. The department aims to achieve this by further expanding its youth service programme and bridges into work or study for youth, with a target of 4,000 new opportunities in the coming year.
The department will prioritize four key areas of focus:
- youth development and violence prevention in safety hotspots,
- afternoon positive peer activities for children and youth, building on the successful after school game changer programmes,
- creating libraries as community hubs and safe spaces for social cohesion,
- and creating pathways for not NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth to actively engage in the economy.
Gillion Bosman MPP said: “I am excited about the R60 million allocation towards empowering at risk youth and setting the foundation to their future employment and opportunities. It is inspiring to see the Western Cape Government continuing to do more to help the province’s youth.”