Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust launches Mandela Day youth upliftment drive
A bold front is forming in Alexandra, facilitated by the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust. The conservation group is spearheading a campaign to combat youth despair and environmental neglect with its Mandela Day youth initiative.
In celebration of Mandela Day, the Guardian Angel Wildlife and Marine Trust (GAWMT) is launching a youth initiative in Alexandra, aimed at tackling unemployment, environmental neglect, and youth disillusionment.
The event, which will be held at the Altrec Sports Complex in Alex on July 18, is being arranged, in partnership with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African National Service Institute (SANSI).
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According to GAWMT founder Raymond Kramer, the day will feature precision drill displays, nature-themed mural painting, parades and even a helicopter landing. SANSI and the SANDF will run outreach campaigns to inspire hope and address youth unemployment by connecting young people in Alexandra with future job opportunities. The event is also meant to offer youth insight into numerous topics around conservation and environmental awareness.
“Many of these children have never before encountered wildlife or marine life, making this initiative crucial to fostering a sustainable mindset of environmental stewardship,” Kramer noted.
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The event will begin with a 67-minute, horse-led walk and a clean-up drive, honouring Mandela Day’s call to service, but, more importantly, the initiative will tackle the deeper cultural issue of environmental neglect in Alexandra, encouraging residents to embrace environmental responsibility in their area.
The empowerment model to be showcased at this Youth Day programme was inspired by a successful pilot programme which was recently undertaken by SANSI at the Dunnottar military base, east of Johannesburg, where over 600 recruits completed a challenging three-month training course.
The event will introduce a nationwide initiative by the GAWMT, in collaboration with various government partners. This campaign combines training in self-discipline and personal development, with vocational skills training, and offers participants the potential for job placement upon successful completion of the programme.
“There is nothing soft about this [SANSI] programme. It is tough. It is structured, and it is exactly what many of these young people need to break the cycle of poverty,” Kramer shared.
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