LIMPOPO – Since its humble beginnings in 2013, Youth Zone Sustainable Enterprise Development, which is widely known simply as Youth Zone, has grown into a beacon of hope for young people in Siyandhani and the surrounding communities.

Although initially operating informally, the organisation was officially registered in August 2016, paving the way for receiving funding from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Social Development.

This financial support has enabled Youth Zone to roll out a range of programmes aimed at equipping young people with the skills they need to access better opportunities.

“Nowadays, people cannot function without a little bit of technology knowledge,” said Lucky Mhelembe, the chairperson of the Youth Zone. “What we do is help youth with basic skills development programmes such as end-user computing.”

Through these training courses, participants gain computer literacy and earn competency certificates that they can present when applying for jobs. In addition to computer skills training, the organisation also runs an entrepreneurship development programme in partnership with NYDA.

This initiative helps aspiring and existing young business owners learn how to start, grow, and sustain their enterprises.

“We teach youth how to do market research, maintain or promote their businesses, and make them profitable,” Mhelembe explained.

But Youth Zone’s efforts do not stop there. Recognising the barriers faced by youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, the organisation also implements the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) programme.

Through this project, selected participants are enrolled in driving schools free of charge, an opportunity many could not otherwise afford.

“So far, 25 young people have received their driving licences through this programme,” Mhelembe said proudly.

Beyond the structured programmes, Youth Zone offers a variety of other empowerment initiatives to help local youth build skills, confidence, and economic independence. “We wish that, with more resources or funds, we will be able to empower more youth,” Mhelembe added.

According to him, the organisation does not help only youth from Siyandhani village but also those from neighbouring villages. “Of course, the local community benefits a lot, but we are not focusing only on local people. That’s why we have people from Jim, Nkurhi, Section F, and as far as N’wamarhanga village who have benefited from our programmes,” he said.

The organisation continues to call on stakeholders, donors, and government departments to support its mission of uplifting young people and strengthening communities across the Greater Giyani municipality.

“Our main vision at Youth Zone is to see all youth empowered and able to make positive changes in their lives,” he said.