The late former President Nelson Mandela once said “…young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in the future as future leaders.”
“In Ekurhuleni, Madiba’s vision has been put into practice. The junior council recently began proceedings for its final year sitting in Germiston,” said Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesperson, Ms Sphelele Nxele.
The council seeks to inculcate a culture of good governance among the youth. In the junior council young people are taught how to participate in processes to deepen their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
“It cannot be disputed that South Africa’s population is getting younger. Among the key roles of this initiative is to make sure that relations between government and youth are fostered,” said Ms Nxele.
“The beauty of this junior council is that young people who are not of voting age get an opportunity to partake in the proceedings of council meetings by identifying concerns in their communities that can be resolved through council.”
The speaker of the Ekurhuleni Council, Clr Patricia Khumalo, said youth participation was a key focus of such a programme.
“We need to be inclusive in our approach by ensuring that the voice of disadvantaged youth is evident through issues discussed in this council. We want to groom active citizens, youth who understand that they are not here to represent themselves; instead they must be the voice of the voiceless. We have a responsibility to not only educate but to also demonstrate this through motions taken in this council. The Youth Council is a platform to engage real and critical issues affecting the youth of Ekurhuleni, that is why this council must leave a legacy, having improved the lives of those it represents,” said Speaker Khumalo.
Issues tackled within the council sitting included organising a dignity pack drive for children in underprivileged communities. This pack would include sanitary towels, underwear and school uniforms, access to electricity, means of transportation for learners who attend school far from their homes, enforcing new measures to curb drug abuse and formalising under developed sports grounds and parks in townships and informal settlements.
The Junior Council is an initiative of the Citizen Responsibility Campaigns Office housed in the Office of the Speaker. It comprises of 99 Junior Councillors, nominated from their respective districts with six office bearers, The Junior Mayor, Deputy Mayor, speaker of the House, Chief Whip and a Public Relations Officer. In addition, the council has seven committees that include Education, Health, Social Development, Sports Recreation Arts and Culture, Campaigns and Fundraising, Environment and Safety all with elected Chairpersons.
In heeding Madiba’s message the councillors attend leadership and governance courses on an ongoing basis. The council has gone on recess and will be reconvening next year.
