Taking responsibilty for their future

Tsakane Extension Five Youth Development Programme was established at the beginning of this month by Phumla Nhlapho. Already the organisation has 57 members between the age of 13 and 25 years.

The young people came together with the aim of getting life and career guidance to help them choose the right courses to study after completing Grade 12.

“We focus on educating these young minds about the challenges of life and how to fight back and win the battles against these challenges such as drugs and alcohol abuse,” says Nhlapho.

Adding that she made it her responsibility to be a mother to the orphans.

She says her organisation also helps teenagers to deal with peer pressure and abuse that they experience at home or within the community.

“I seek professional help for those who need it and ensure that they continue living their lives and fulfilling their dreams,” says Nhlapho.

Nolwazi Ncube (18) says the establishment of the organisation has helped a lot of young people in the township, including herself.

She says, being part of the organisation for only a few days, she has learnt to have self-respect and to respect others.

Nolwazi says she now understands that success does not come easily, but she needs to work hard towards achieving her goals.

A father to four children, Simanga Nkosi says this is the first programme at Tsakane Extension Five that helps teenagers focus on achieving their goals.

“Some of the teenagers come from families that do not care about education and I thank those who take their time to help children choose their careers,” says Nkosi.

He also encouraged young people to use every opportunity that they get to pave the way to their success.

“I do not have a good job today because during my youth I did not have someone to show me the right way and guide me towards a better tomorrow,” Nkosi says, challenging the youth to fight to better their lives.