Mathang new YMCA president
JOBURG - The City of Joburg's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development, Ruby Mathang, was elected as the national president of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).
The election took place at the annual national assembly of YMCA South Africa in Cape Town.
The YMCA, which has 1 200 local associations across all continents, was established in Paris in 1855. The organisation, although predominately Christian, adopts an open community service ethos. An elated Mathang said, “I am humbled to be elected to this position. I look forward to serve the underprivileged, the voiceless and the marginalised sectors of our societies.”
The purpose of the meeting was to review national policy, assess the programmes implemented and chart the way forward for the next three years.
The conference was attended by 300 delegates from all corners of South Africa. Mathang, who was elected unopposed, said his aim was not only to continue the good work and initiatives by the organisation, but to also strive to intensify their programmes for increased impact. “Our work must be enhanced and efficiencies found so that the impact is felt by the communities where we are located. In this new tenure, we hope to start new local associations in places where they are much needed,” he said.
Joburg Mayor Mpho Parks Tau also congratulated Mathang, adding that the quality of leadership within the City of Johannesburg is being appreciated by broader society.
Some of the programmes run by the YMCA include: Y-fit – a health and wellness programme open to the whole community. This programme is soon to be franchised throughout the country.
The Economic and Entrepreneurial Education Programmme (TEEEP) is a programme in partnership with Standard Bank and Illinois University (USA). It is designed to develop economic literacy at a lower primary age, which is a critical base for entrepreneurship development.
Subject to Citizen (S2C) is a programme which aims to empower young people in a fresh, pop-up style which goes to identified social spots, clinics and schools, teaching people the relevant legislation and law, as well as how to access those rights.
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