THE junior council of Ekurhuleni has gone into recess until next year, when proceedings for its final year will kick off.
The council seeks to instill a culture of good governance among the youth.
In the junior council, young people are taught how to participate in processes to deepen their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Among the key roles of this initiative is to make sure that relations between government and the youth are fostered.
The beauty of this junior council is that young people who are not of voting age, get an opportunity to partake in the proceedings of council meetings – by identifying concerns in their communities that can be resolved through council.
The speaker of the Ekurhuleni council, Clr Patricia Khumalo, said youth participation is a key focus of such a programme.
“We need to be inclusive in our approach, by ensuring that the voice of disadvantaged youth is evident through issues discussed in this council. We want to groom active citizens: the youth who understand that they are not here to represent themselves; instead they must be the voice of the voiceless.
“We have a responsibility to not only educate, but also to demonstrate this through motions taken in this council. The youth council is a platform to engage real and critical issues affecting the youth of Ekurhuleni; that is why this council must leave a legacy, having improved the lives of those it represents,” said Khumalo.
Issues tackled within the council sitting, included organising a dignity pack drive for children in underprivileged communities. This pack would include sanitary towels, underwear and school uniforms; access to electricity; means of transportation for learners who attend school far from their homes; enforcing new measures to curb drug abuse; and completing underdeveloped sports grounds and parks in townships and informal settlements.
The junior council is an initiative of the Citizen Responsibility Campaigns Office, housed in the Office of the Speaker.
It comprises 99 junior councillors, nominated from their respective districts with six office bearers: junior mayor, deputy mayor, speaker of the house, chief whip and public relations officer.
In addition, the council has seven committees that include education, health, social development, sports recreation, arts and culture; campaigns and fundraising; environment and safety – all with elected chairpersons.
The councillors attend leadership and governance courses on an ongoing basis.
