Youth and community stakeholders from Brakpan joined forces with national voices at the University of Johannesburg on April 10 to tackle the root causes of violence.

Brakpan SAPS social crime prevention and communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi and local Youth Crime Prevention Desk members attended the Youth Dialogue on Addressing Violence in South Africa event that was hosted at the UJ Auckland Park campus in the Wole Soyinka Auditorium by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), the South African Youth Council, Gun free South Africa, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, in partnership with UJ Community Engagement.

The programme was steered by Brakpan resident Prudence Mabaso, South African Youth Council NEC member and former Brakpan SAPS Youth Crime Prevention Desk member, and attended by young people from different sectors including UJ Community Engagement volunteers led by Lebogang Ayobiojo.

Among the attendees was the UJ Student Representative Council president, Lehumo Dibakoane.

Buthelezi spoke about the psychosocial impact of violence on youth, including its effects at family, school and community levels, as well as issues related to gender-based and community violence.

Dr Stanley Maphosa from Gun Free South Africa spoke about structures and systematic drivers of violence, the role of firearms and access to weapons, and socioeconomic contributions.

Honorable Bandile Masuku from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature gave a speech on existing interventions and policy responses, community-based and youth-led initiatives, and pathways for collaboration and action.

The keynote address was given by Dr Sunshine Myande, chairperson of the board for National Youth Development Agency, and she spoke about youth participation in policy and decision-making of violence preventative initiation, barriers to youth engagement in addressing violence, and opportunities for youth leadership in violence prevention.

The youth in attendance participated in group discussions about the main causes of violence in their communities, how systematic issues contribute to violence, how violence is affecting them, and how the youth can be involved in addressing violence.

After discussions, feedback was given by means of presentations. During the feedback presentations, Tumelo Buthelezi, a member of the Brakpan SAPS Youth Crime Prevention Desk, answered how systematic issues contribute to violence.

She said discrimination and racism also play a major role in violence, and that the community in which a person grows up has a significant influence.

She further explained that individuals raised in violent communities are more likely to become violent themselves, as they may grow up believing that such behaviour is normal or acceptable.

Massy Hakutangwi cited that young people need safer spaces within their communities where they can access emotional and psychological support from professionals, as their home environments can sometimes be challenging and they may feel unable to speak to their parents about their struggles.

The summary of key insights was given by Obakeng Kgatshe from the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

Closing remarks were given by Mosuli Cwele, general secretary of the South African Youth Council, and Ofhani Mukwevho from the IPYG thanked everyone in attendance before officially closing the programme.