Youth development programme creates new opportunities

Despite passing matric with a distinction in 2019, Thabiso Begoor (24) from Weenen, KwaZulu-Natal fell into a life of alcohol abuse with no prospects of any progress.

“I had no direction in life after I completed matric and I resorted to heavy drinking,” he said.

Begoor, became an orphan in 2014 when his father died. His mother passed on in 2009. 

His aunt was left to care for him before she passed away in 2020. Begoor was also a recipient of the foster child grant administerd by the South African Social Security Agency.

When Begoor’s life was in turmoil, his case was referred to social workers in his community for intervention.

“Last year my social workers told me about the Youth Development Programme and thought it might be good for me. I listened to them and I signed up.”

The Youth Development Programme was facilitated by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development. Begoor took part in the six-month programme and gained valuable life skills.

“During the programme we were taught about having a vision for your life, anger management and we did an introspection on our lives.”

The programme also gave young people a chance to pick a skill that would allow them to make a living and Begoor chose hospitality skills.

After completion of the programme he received a hospitality starter pack.

“My kit had a gazebo, a catering table, a braai stand, takeaway containers, a [fried chips] deep fryer. My aim for now is to start utilising these here in my area as I’m still unemployed,” he said.

Youth graduates

Begoor was among a group of 109 youths that graduated from the Department’s Youth Development Programme recently. The academy saw young men and women equipped with skills in entrepreneurship, assistant chef, plumbing, electrical, community house construction, and computer.

Above the certificates, all graduates completed the course with code 14 drivers’ licences. The Department spent R5 million on the programme.

Speaking at the Esicabazini Youth Development Academy in uMkhanyakude during the graduation ceremony, KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza said the plight of youth continues to take centre stage and her department wanted to ensure that no young person was left behind.

"We provided different skills to these young people. We pride ourselves on that they are better equipped to play an active role in building the economy of this province,"  said MEC.