WARD 21 councillor, Bongani Gumede, fulfilled one of his goals for 2015, which was to launch his youth organisation, Ikusasa Lethu Youth Foundation.
The event was attended by pupils from Clermont, KwaDabeka, Wyebank and New Germany, speakers from different organisations who motivated young people.
The guest speakers were Sifiso Chili, who is an attorney, and Bev Mothladane (youth and gender activist).
“Noting the challenges faced by young people in our country, the Ikusasa Lethu Youth Foundation (IYF) resolved to initiate a programme that would prepare the youth to be responsible pupils who can create a better future for themselves.
“The idea here is to start this programme in eThekwini, then roll the programme out to the rest of KwaZulu-Natal and ultimately throughout the whole country,” said Gumede.
The foundation will target all young people (in and out of schools), both employed and unemployed.
The organisation will be separated into several categories: the Pioneers (aged six to 10), the Path-Finders (10 to 13), the Panthers (14 to 20) and the Jaguars (21 to 35). Anyone above 35 will be a ‘Friend of the IYF’.
The foundation will focus on sports development, arts development, entrepreneurship development, vocational skills development, life skills, academic programmes, volunteerism and community outreach.
Gumede said the foundation will engage young people in sports from an early age.
“We want to focus on sports that are not popular in townships and rural communities, such as swimming, tennis, hockey, athletics, cricket, badminton, squash, table tennis, volley-ball, martial arts, squash and chess.
“Among other things, we also hope to initiate a number of activities, such as afternoon study sessions, study groups, Saturday classes, winter school and summer school, reading clubs and computer literacy classes to assist pupils to perform better in school,” said Gumede.
Young people who would like to be part of this foundation can contact Gumede on 082 629 4981 or 073 844 0442, or e-mail sodla behlezi@gmail.com.
