SDB youth give vent to race-based anxieties
One of the other talking points that arose during discussions was abuse and the impact gender-based violence has on the youth and their future.
YOUNGSTERS were given the chance to voice their anxieties around race and learn ways to develop empathy and help within their communities at a workshop hosted by the office of the South Durban Basin (SDB) Area Based Management (ABM).
“In a dialogue held with South Durban youth in June 2014, they expressed they were still experiencing various forms of racism in their everyday lives. This has led them to getting impatient and frustrated when opportunities are difficult to access due to their race. There is a need for young people to gain insight into themselves and understanding the issues around race and the role it plays in nation building,” said SDB ABM manager, Eurakha Singh.
These youngsters were given the platform to discuss this at a workshop, which was held from Friday to Sunday, 8 to 10 May at the Vuleka Centre in Botha’s Hill, with members of Umtapo, a non-profit peace organisation.
Arun Naicker, an Umtapo course facilitator, said the workshop was aimed at giving young people the space for self-discovery; to understand the root causes of ‘peacelessness’ and racism in Africa and South Africa; to analyse gender based violence; to gain knowledge on the concept of ubuntu as a way of life and to examine human rights, democracy and ethical leadership.
One of the other talking points that arose during discussions was abuse and the impact gender-based violence has on the youth and their future.
“Thank-you to SDB ABM and Umtapo for this amazing opportunity. My expectations were exceeded and it’s great that such an initiative is being undertaken and as a young person, I am motivated to go out there and make a difference in my community to promote peace, human rights and anti-racism,” said Zithulele Makhanya from ward 93.
SDB social development co-ordinator, Anitha Govender added that she is pleased with the workshop and is convinced the young lives had been positively influenced. “The workshop closed with the youth committing to doing a project in their communities, which will qualify them as ‘official’ peace ambassadors who will then receive their certificates in August this year,” she said.
