KNYSNA NEWS - On April 25 history was made at the Knysna municipality as they hosted the first inauguration of the youth council at the municipal council chambers.
The youth council representatives for the 10 wards in Knysna were announced while family and friends bore witness to this historic occasion.
Council speaker Eleanor Bouw-Spies facilitated the inauguration and said during her address, "The youth of South Africa has played an integral part in the transformation of this country.
"The youth council is the forum where you can constructively challenge the way youth issues are perceived and handled in this municipality. This is a space where you can lay the foundations for the change you want to see in our society."
The two invited speakers were Stephen Curry, branch manager of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in the Western Cape. He explained the services NYDA offer to the youth with a focus on entrepreneurship and job facilitation.
Curry said, “If there is anything I would want them to take from my presentation it is that there are so many development organisations and projects fashioned to help the youth with technical training, permanent employment or even self-employment.”
The second speaker, Fumanekile Maquyekwe from the Small Enterprise Development Agency spoke along similar lines and encouraged the youth to utilise the services of both agencies.
Bouw-Spies also encouraged the youth council to work with the agencies, saying, "Make the agencies work for you - not only for you as young people, but for the broader community as well."
The youth council and the ward committee members were announced. The assembled crowd cheered when Zwelethu Dyonto was inducted as the chairperson of the council.
During his short acceptance speech, the chairperson confirmed the youth council's commitment to the five key areas they will focus on during their term: enterprise development, sport development, tourism development, social and community development, and skills development.
Dyonto said, "We will be champions of change, champions of hope!"
The youth council members are:
2. Golden Jones Youth Councillor Brackenhill
3. Cazlin Peter Goldberg Secretary Hornlee
4. Fredwin CornelleAgiels Deputy Chairperson Hornlee
5. Ethon Leigh Alexander Youth Councillor Hornlee
6. Alicia Harker Youth Councillor Hornlee
7. Vuyani Pauli Youth Councillor Ward 1
8. Ntombozuko Siyo Youth Councillor Ward 1
9. Hendrias Morris Youth Councillor Ward 2
10. Daphne Jantjies Youth Councillor Ward 2
11. Zipho Naki Youth Councillor Ward 3
12. Mandisa Litoyi Youth Councillor Ward 3
13. MawandeJeyi Youth Councillor Ward 4
14. Mpisekhaya Solani Youth Councillor Ward 4
15. UfrashiaHartnickYouth Councillor Ward 5
16. Jolene Pietersen Youth Councillor Ward 5
17. Sidwel (Vuvu)RalusheYouth Councillor Ward 7
18. LuzukoTyokolo Youth Councillor Ward 7
19. Zwelethu Dyonto Chairperson Ward 8
20. Noluvo Kilimani Youth Councillor Ward 8
21. Onke Sibindi Youth Councillor Percy Mdala High School
22. Kaylene Innes Youth Councillor Knysna High School
23. Leila Turner Youth Councillor Oakhill College
24. Vicaelin Fauers Youth Councillor Knysna Secondary School
25.Unathi Booi Youth Councillor Concordia High School
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world," said Bouw-Spies in her cloaing remarks.
"Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." She challenged the youth council when she concluded, "I dare you to be that group of thoughtful, committed citizens. I dare you to change the world."
Knysna's new youth councillors are (some members are not in this photo): (Back from left) Zipho Naki; Mandisa Litoyi; Ntombuzuko Siyo; Luzuko Tyokolo; Daphne Jantjies; Mpisekhaya Solani; Ufrashia Hartnick; (speaker Eleanore Bouw-Spies); Zelrene Luiters; Unathi Booi; Leila Turner; Kaylene Innes; and Onke Sibindi. (Front from left) Mawande Jeyi; Noluvo Kilimani; Vuvu Ralushe; Cazlin Goldberg (secretary); Zwelethu Dyonto (chairperson); Fredwin Agiels (deputy chairperson); Ethon Alexander; and Jolene Pietersen. Photo: Supplied.
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