READI CT: Empowering Cape Town’s Youth

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youth empowerment community development

The Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department of the City of Cape Town launched the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI CT) in 2021. This program aims to empower young individuals by offering them learning opportunities and enhancing their skills. By increasing their employability, READI CT seeks to foster meaningful contributions to the community.

EPWP and READI CT

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of the SD&ECD department makes READI CT possible. The program lasts three years, concluding in June 2024. Currently, 46 youth ambassadors are participating in various learning opportunities and personal development initiatives.

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READI CT provides an array of training opportunities, giving young individuals exposure to work environments and personal growth. It also offers hands-on experience by placing participants in community-based organizations, where they can apply their newfound skills and make a difference in their communities.

Success Stories

Six ambassadors have already secured permanent employment with the City, and one has taken up a student contract thanks to the READI CT program. These individuals serve as inspiring examples of what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.

The program has also enabled ambassadors to implement grassroots community development initiatives. These efforts benefit both individuals and their broader communities.

Investing in the Future

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia Van der Ross, highlights the importance of READI CT for strengthening interpersonal skills and boosting confidence and the ability to communicate effectively. By investing in the metro’s youth, READI CT ensures that young ambassadors can assist others in accessing the City of Cape Town’s various services.

Impact and Future Outlook

The READI CT program is making a positive impact on participants and their communities by providing learning opportunities and growth experiences. The power of investing in the potential of young individuals is evident, and READI CT demonstrates that these youths can become agents of change in their communities and beyond. As the program continues, it will be exciting to see the impact that these youth ambassadors make on the city’s overall development and the lives of their fellow citizens.

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Liam Fortuin is a Cape Town journalist whose reporting on the city’s evolving food culture—from township kitchens to wine-land farms—captures the flavours and stories of South Africa’s many kitchens. Raised in Bo-Kaap, he still starts Saturday mornings hunting koesisters at family stalls on Wale Street, a ritual that feeds both his palate and his notebook.

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