August 16, 2005
By Sipho Maduna
YOUNG people should have a say in their future, and with this in mind the City of Johannesburg is drawing up a Youth Strategy in consultation with its younger residents.
The strategy will set up guidelines and plans for a range of development programmes aimed at the city's youngsters.
However, it will be done in such a way that young people will play a role in decision-making around council issues that affect them.
According to the programme co-ordinator in the City's department of social development, Leonard Mahashe, the department aims to involve the youth in social development and in creating opportunities for them.
Co-ordinated and monitored by the department, the strategy will be drawn up for a five-year period. Programmes will be tailor-made for young people, tackling issues such as job creation, skills development and education on topics like HIV/Aids and substance abuse.
"We have been tasked by the mayor to co-ordinate the implementation of youth programmes," Mahashe said.
As a first step, several Youth Dialogues were held in the City's 11 regions to find out their concerns. "Young people should play a role in their own development."
A key aspect of drawing up such a strategy was to involve young people in the decision-making process. "City governance can be improved by improving contact between the City and its youth."
Workshops would be held to keep young people informed about the City's vision and its values, as well as about how local government functioned.
The City's departments and utilities, agencies and corporatised entities would offer learnerships and internship programmes, while the different workshops would be run with various partners.
Educational opportunities
Some proposed workshops include business and entrepreneurial skills. Others will educate young people on how to apply for City tenders.
Extended education programmes will offer details on the programmes already offered by the City, such as its poverty alleviation programme. These will include information on who is eligible, for example, for social grants.
Young people with disabilities will be taught how to apply to the province for disability grants. They also will be encouraged and helped to take part in projects run by the Expanded Public Works Programme, like their peers.
In addition, plans are in the pipeline to run skills upgrade courses, under the auspices of the library and information service unit, on topics such as business advice services, career guidance, science and technology programmes and the Internet.
Other departments that will be involved in skills development are economic development; sports and recreation; arts, culture and heritage; marketing; and tourism.
What skills need to be focused on will be identified through a Labour Market Intelligence Database that was recommended under the City's Human Development Strategy. Programmes will be based on this information.
Young people will also be expected to make a contribution to the wellbeing of the city. Mahashe said they would be expected to help vulnerable groups like children, the aged and women and people with disabilities, by organising commemoration events and fund raisers, for example.
A healthy lifestyle
A vital component of the proposed youth development strategy is ensuring youngsters are healthy. This will encompass a multi-pronged approach that will include awareness campaigns on lifestyle choices, tackling issues like HIV/Aids, pregnancy, physical fitness and substance abuse.
Such programmes will be run in partnership with the department of health and other stakeholders.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, along with non-governmental organisations such as the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, will hold community safety and crime prevention programmes on anger management, conflict resolution, and victim empowerment.
A pilot diversion programme has been initiated in three Johannesburg regions, namely Regions 4, 6, and 7, for youngsters who are in conflict with the law.
Recreational programmes, held by the various sports and recreation departments, will develop sporting talent, while the arts, culture and heritage department will promote emerging artists through exhibitions.
A Youth Unit will be set up to ensure that the strategy, once finalised, meets its obligations. It will work closely with the City of Joburg Youth Council, proposed in the strategy.
The various programmes will be monitored and administered by the department of social development, with youth development regional officers providing the necessary support.
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