Youth work is one of the most important activities that directly influences the future of any country by empowering young people to become active citizens. In South Africa, where the youth comprise a large demographic, the relevance of youth work is vital for building strong, resilient communities, and ensuring the sustainable future of families.
The Role of Youth Work
Youth work is aimed at providing young people with guidance, support, and opportunities oriented to various elements of an individual’s personal, social, and career development. It provides them with life skills, knowledge, and confidence to become better people within society. The key to youth work is the recognition that young people can adjust themselves and make positive contributions to society, as well as rise up as leaders when opportunity avails.
At SAAYC (South African Association of Youth Clubs), we appreciate the significance of putting youth in the driving seat through programmes aimed at enhancing their leadership, community participation, and entrepreneurship skills. We prepare these leaders using workshops, mentorship programmes, and youth clubs by empowering them to effectively make a positive change in their families and the country.
Leadership Development
Historically youth have been key in South Africa, especially after the Soweto Uprising in 1976 and until the youth’s recent activism such as the Social Justice Summit held at Stellenbosch University. Youth leaders have often been at the forefront of making change and pushing for such changes in societies. Therefore, in today’s context, youth work redresses this by nurturing socially responsible and innovative leaders.
For instance, while implementing the SAAYC’s programmes, the organisation teaches young people critical thinking, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills. All these skills are invaluable to their communities’ leadership processes and can also be applied in professional settings. Investing in youth leadership development will not only ensure the growth of strong communities but will also enhance the future security of households.
Contributing to Sustainable Households
The issue of employment is also alleviated by youth work since it promotes economic empowerment. In South Africa, a large percentage of the youth population comes from economically unstable families. Through youth work, such younger generation is empowered through self-employment and skills training in creating jobs for themselves and their families.
One example of this is the Social Entrepreneurship Programme, in which SAAYC enhances the capacity of youth clubs to run Sustainable Social Enterprises that will develop their youth organisation whilst creating job opportunities for youth within the organisation. The approach is cooperative and brings in stakeholders who assist with training and providing some basic resources. While this may seem to be an indirect approach, it is geared toward building stronger communities and a healthier nation.
Real-Life Impact on the Youth
In a South African youth work context, there are several examples where youth work is a tool for social and economic change. One notable example is the youth-driven community development project in rural areas such as the YouthBuild South Africa Initiative. This program seeks to support youth with diverse backgrounds including those in remote places, to take an active role in the development of their communities. YouthBuild South Africa provides mentorship in construction, leadership, and life skills to young people who then participate in community efforts like school building and community development, among other infrastructure development. These young leaders in the community do not only respond to the crisis of the community, but they are also creating solutions for the future.
Another example is the increased levels of engagement of young people in environmental initiatives, such as the UNICEF Yoma Green Challenge which is community gardening and a cleaning up campaign. These activities do not only promote environment, as well as climate sustainability, but they also contribute to the food security and the well-being of households.
Youth work is a powerful tool for harnessing the potential of young people and shaping them into leaders who contribute to the development of strong, sustainable households and communities. By investing in the growth and leadership of our youth, we are investing in the future of South Africa; a future where every household can thrive and every community can flourish.
Youth work has proven to be an efficient means of tapping into the abilities of young people and moulding young people into responsible leaders of a society. To develop and harness the energies of the youth population of South Africa is to develop the country; a development in which every household is self-supportive and communities flourish.
At SAAYC, we are dedicated to facilitating the empowerment of the youth, who in turn will become the leaders who will build society and elevate the country.
By Ms. Victoria Putu, SAAYC Finance Manager
