A better life for the youth
Programmes launched to ensure public health
OUR COUNTRY has been shaken to the core with the news that 19 children have been murdered in the Western Cape since the start of 2017.
In less than six months, 19 young lives were abruptly taken away. We were nauseated with the details of the death of threeyear-old Courtney Pieters in the same way we reacted to the final hours of Anene Booysen four years ago.
A day after young Courtney Pieters was laid to rest, shadowed by the torn moral fibre of Elsies River, a rising star emerged from those very streets to the national stage of the live performances of the Voice SA.
Craig Lucas, a 24-year-old, has lived in Elsies River all his life, attended Elsies River High School and had first-hand experience of a hostile childhood growing up on the Cape Flats. Following the death of Anene Booysen, as we officially opened the netball court in her name in Bredasdorp, all in attendance had the pleasure of listening to the personal story of Sigi Burger.
Sigrid “Sigi” Burger, a 21-year-old, born in Bredasdorp has been selected to represent the National Protea team twice in her 14-year netball career. She shared how difficult it was to remain dedicated and committed to the sport, even amidst the pull of social ills that many young people succumb to.
The Western Cape Government has made great strides in creating an enabling environment for our youth with quality education being at the forefront. Since its inception in 2010, our flagship MOD (Mass participation, Opportunity and access; Development and growth) programme has provided constructive after-school activities to more than 40000 learners across the province.
There has never been more urgency to unite, foster tolerance and acceptance, reinforce healthy living and rebuild civic pride and community participation.
* Anroux Marais is Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC