Graduation Day for Youth Training Programme graduates
22 November 2023
The City, Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) and the RCS Group hosted a graduation celebration for young people who have completed the annual Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative Youth Training Programme.
The graduation marks four years of partnership between the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) and the City of Cape Town's Social Development & Early Childhood Development Department (SD&ECD).
The WPDI offers a certified Business and Entrepreneurship programme where participants learn the basic skills required to develop an enterprise.
The SD&ECD facilitates the recruitment of participants, as part of its Youth Development basket of services.
This year, 210 young people from Mitchells Plain, Grassy Park, Masiphumelele, Lavender Hill, Retreat, Steenberg, Hangberg, Hout Bay, Nyanga, Gugulethu and Crossroads signed up to participate in the programme.
The group, aged between 15 and 35, completed business, peace building and conflict resolution education courses.
Today, WPDI founder and CEO, Forest Whitaker presided over their graduation, along with Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews, and representatives from the RCS Group.
'The youth possess amazing potential that needs to be nurtured. I truly believe that each of you have limitless power. You are the solution, you can be active agents, true leaders of the transformation of your communities and the builders of a brighter future. Our aim is to show you how to reach this potential, to provide safe spaces, to guide you and support you, so you can become the leaders of tomorrow,' said Whitaker.
Addressing the graduates, Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews said 'Our desire is to ensure that we have a city of hope, a hope for everyone. The world we are a part of is big and daunting and if you don't make a positive decision, if you don't desire to become successful in life, you will become a statistic. More than 60% of our youth is unemployed. In Cape Town we have a very important past, to fulfil our obligation to enable more opportunities to connect and be a part of this city of hope. Don't lose sight of the fact that you are representing more than yourself. You are representing your families, your street, your communities, your city and province, and ultimately our amazing country'.
END
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
