New youth desk chairman eager to inspire youngsters
NEWLY-ELECTED youth desk committee chairman, Zanele Sibiya (29) is ready to knuckle down and tackle her role, which gives a voice to young people in the community.
The youth desk under the Montclair CPF umbrella which was disbanded by the department of communication and liaison held its elections at Montclair recreational hall on Tuesday, 17 September. About 40 members of the community attended the elections. Elected members were: chairman, Zanele Sibiya vice-chairman, Sboniso Nzimande; secretary, Njabulo Gumede; vice-secretary, Debra Sibiya; treasurer, Ayabonga Shezi; public relations officer, Mfundo Molefe; additional members, Simphiwe Linda and Wandile Dlamini.
“I have the utmost faith in my committee as a whole, I can sense that we will have a great working relationship. I could not have asked for a better team,” said Zanele. “The expectations are high, we don’t want to let the community down. I’m excited and cannot wait to start making a success of the youth desk.”
CPF chairman, Gavin Hegter said: “I am happy with the elected members. Some of them have shown their commitment through their involvement in the 21-day drug awareness campaign and helped in the organisation of the Montwood Teen Idols. From my experience and speaking to the members, they seem motivated to get involved and I am positive that through partnership with the CPF we are going to achieve a lot.”
The desk aims to provide a platform for the youth to have a link with the SAP and the community. “We look forward to working with the CPF, and helping them with their projects as well as them imparting advice to us,” said Zanele. A debating society will be formed to create a platform for the youth voice their opinions and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The desk’s first objective is to initiate a schools based project where young people will be encouraged to join a local sports club and take part in extra-curricular activities outside of school. The project aims to keep the youth away from taking part in negative activities as well as instil life skills and teach them to prioritise. “More than anything, I personally want to make parents feel secure in knowing that their children are able to make good decisions for themselves.”
The youth desk committee is looking to host a strategic planning seminar to equip them with the necessary skills needed to make the desk a success. They are calling for assistance from the community to make it possible. “I look to the youth desk to create a foundation that will last long after we as the current committee have been replaced. We want to make history and to bring about positive change in the community.”
The community, NGO’s youth committees and organisations are called on to support the desk.
