Ekurhuleni Young Ambitious (EYA) kickstarted Youth Month with an event aimed at empowering young people through sport, arts, culture and social impact.

The programme was hosted at Marathon Informal Settlement through a community-focused event aimed at supporting children and strengthening partnerships with other organisations.

The event brought together several NPOs, including African Child at Work, Safe Place International and Sibalwamazizi. Kganya ya Lesedi, Community leaders, CPF leaders, local partners and special guests also attended.

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Among the guests were City of Ekurhuleni Speaker of Council Clr John Senona, Safe Place International founders, local artists, and community stakeholders.

Local partners such as Roman’s Pizza Germiston, Roxana Fruit Market, V and V Creations supported the programme.

Young people were served pizza slices for lunch.

The day included venue preparations, cooking, serving of guests, entertainment, poetry and a netball game between boys and girls. More than 200 young children were served and also received clothes as part of the donation drive.

Organiser, EYA chairperson Njabulo Bam said the main goal of the event was to relaunch the NPO in partnership with other organisations while working towards the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

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Bam said the programme was also aimed at changing children’s lives through sport, the arts and culture.

“As we know, the lives of our young people start with us. It takes a village to raise a child. We want to focus on changing the lives of our children by giving them basic things, hygiene products and sanitary products so that they do not have to beg in town,” said Bam.

The organisation also highlighted the importance of empowering both girls and boys, saying programmes such as these can help address challenges such as teenage pregnancy and the need for boys to go back to basics.

Bam said the relaunch showed that the work of achieving SDG 2030 is still in progress and called on more local businesses to support programmes that benefit children in the community.

“We thank businesses such as Roman’s Pizza, Roxana Fruit Market, V and V Creations for always helping. We appreciate their continued support and promise to continue doing good work in the community,” said Bam.

One of the highlights of the day was the message delivered by the CoE Speaker of Council during the programme, with Bam adding that he wished more children could have benefited from the event.

The organisation said its vision is to build a community that stands together in fighting for the future of children.

Community members are encouraged to support similar initiatives by donating food, clothing, and words of encouragement.