Ndlambe Municipality launches annual youth awards, to inspire
Ndlambe Municipality launched its inaugural annual Ndlambe Young Achievers Awards last Thursday.
The awards are aimed at honouring and celebrating young people who are excelling in education, music and sport.
Stakeholders from different government departments, Ndlambe schools and ward councillors filled the Civic Centre to capacity on Thursday as top-performing pupils and young musicians and sports stars from various codes received medals.
Ndlambe Special Programmes Unit ’s Mluleki Ncapayi said the annual event was intended to acknowledge young people, who play a vital role in society, and to help them realise their full potential in their chosen fields.
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) representative for the Sarah Baartman District, Sonwabo Cangci, was tasked with informing the young people about opportunities offered by the agency.
Cangci preluded his talk with an emotional plea to young people.
“With what is happening with our youth, the future does not look very bright.
“I am begging you to continue doing what you are doing best.
“It’s sad when you look at leadership you see old people and the youth are not utilising their space,” Cangci said.
“There are opportunities for you as a young person: keep on fighting.”
He continued: “We offer financial assistance to young people of this country and we also offer non-financial assistance.
“When you finish your matric and want to further your studies, [the NYDA] can assist you, as long as you pass well.”
Cangci said the Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship assisted young people to further their studies at any public university.
Non-financial assistance provided by the NYDA included grant funding and life skills for young people who wanted to start their own businesses after school.
“The candidate gets five days’ free training and the organisation ensures that he or she runs a sustainable and successful business,” Cangci said.
“The NYDA buys you the equipment and material to start your business and you do not pay the organisation back,” he said, explaining the grant system.
“Then we place you on our job database.”
When appropriate opportunities came up in Port Alfred or other parts of the district, the agency would help place suitable candidates in those positions, he said.
Cangci encouraged those interested to visit the NYDA website and choose the service of their choice under the youth portal category.
He said Ndlambe applicants must select the Sarah Baartman District so that their application would go straight to that municipality.
Also at the event was a representative from the South African National Defence Force, who explained the different training and work opportunities available.
Makhanda-based acting head of the Department of Basic Education’s Grahamstown Cluster Management Centre, Mandisi Matyolo, praised Ndlambe Municipality’s support for education.
“As the department of education, we have a sound relationship with Ndlambe Municipality,” Matyolo said.
“Of all the municipalities in Sarah Baartman, Ndlambe Municipality is one of the best municipalities in the entire district when it comes to supporting education.”
Before the Covid-19 lockdown, Nelson Mandela University student volunteers had also conducted tutorials for grade 12s.
“We give our youth the best we can to ensure they become future leaders,” Matyolo said.
He pleaded with grade 12s to attend the winter schools, saying the department had appointed the best teachers who had produced good results last year.
Matyolo asked young people to abstain from substance abuse.
“You have seen what happened [at eNyobeni Tavern [in Scenery Park] in East London.
“Move away from the abuse of drugs and teenage pregnancy. Those things are unnecessary,” he said.