Empowering the Youth: Cape Town’s Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme

The City of Cape Town, through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), has launched the Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme to support the youth and bridge the education gap in disadvantaged communities. The programme aims to train 44 beneficiaries as literacy tutors and life skills coaches in order to pave the way for a brighter future for the younger generation.

Enhancing Literacy and Life Skills

The Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme is a collaborative initiative of the Community Services and Health Directorate and Mellon Educate. Its main objective is to assist young children by enhancing their reading, writing, and life skills. The programme reinforces a solid foundation in the primary phase of learning, enabling students to excel in their intermediate education phase. In 2022, the programme has already reached 868 learners.

Beneficiaries’ Selection and Training

The recruits have been selected from the city’s jobseekers’ database to provide them with training and work experience. These beneficiaries will serve as tutors in local schools and holiday programmes for students. The training includes teaching basic reading and writing skills and implementing the Essentially Me life skills programme. The Essentially Me programme aligns with the principles outlined by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and was developed by the Substance Abuse Unit within Social Development and Early Childhood Development.

Engaging Parents Strategically

The Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme recognizes the importance of family involvement in a child’s education. Therefore, it aims to engage parents strategically. Improved communication between parents and their children often leads to better outcomes and promotes a healthy learning environment.

Acquiring Valuable Skills

Furthermore, the EPWP beneficiaries will acquire valuable skills such as report writing, conflict management, project management, financial life skills, general life skills, and administration. Their participation in the programme will also provide them with SAQA-accredited training, earning credits towards a qualification as early childhood development practitioners.

Significant Impact on the City’s Youth

Councillor Patricia van der Ross, the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, emphasizes the far-reaching benefits of the programme, stating that it not only employs and educates 44 unemployed individuals, but also supports hundreds of learners with reading, writing, and life skills. With a budget of R3.1 million allocated for the 2022/2023 financial year, the project promises to make a significant impact on the city’s youth.

Pioneer in Maximizing EPWP’s Development Potential

Alderman Grant Twigg, the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, highlights Cape Town’s pioneering role in maximizing the EPWP’s development potential. He believes that EPWP opportunities not only provide income support to the city’s most vulnerable but also transfer skills, knowledge, and networks that can help beneficiaries and their communities thrive long after their EPWP terms have ended.

In conclusion, the Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme is a commendable initiative that showcases Cape Town’s dedication to empowering its youth and addressing the education gap in disadvantaged communities. The collaborative approach, coupled with the comprehensive training provided to beneficiaries, has the potential to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of countless young individuals and their families.