Nominations for youth council now open

The municipality’s Youth Desk is excited to announce the nomination process for the election of new members to the Youth Council.

All Greater Knysna youth between the ages 14 to 35 are invited to participate in the nomination and election process. Forms are available at all Youth Centres and must be submitted on or before close of business on Tuesday 27 February.

Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies says, “We are proud of the work that has been accomplished by the current Youth Council. In partnership with our Youth Desk they have accomplished a number of successful projects, including talent search, a driver’s licence programme, ward-based entrepreneurial and sport development projects. “The new Youth Council will continue with the vision of mobilising the youth of Knysna to act as change agents for active citizenship, meaningful community participating, entrepreneurship and the improvement of their own lives and the lives of those around them”, says Bouw-Spies.

The aims of the Knysna Youth Council are as follows:

● To give the youth a voice concerning civil matters.

● To promote leadership qualities – as well as a healthy interest in municipal, civil, administrative and community matters – in our youth.

● To organise projects (in line with the aims of the council) to the benefit of the community and especially the youth.

● To promote better relationships between different language groups while fostering mutual understanding and appreciation among the youth in the surrounding areas.

Bouw-Spies has called on all Greater Knysna youth to nominate people in their communities who they feel can represent their needs.

The criteria, she explains, are as follows:

● Nominees must reside in a ward within the boundaries of Knysna municipality.

● Must 14 to 35 years old.

● Must be nominated by 20 youths within the ward on the prescribed nomination form.

● Must have a clean criminal record for the past five years with no pending cases.

* More info: Youth Desk 044 302 6442 or visit Youth Centre closest to you.