KNYSNA NEWS - Unemployed young people who took up the challenge of applying for more than 50 employment and training opportunities were recognised during the Western Cape Government's 50 for 50 Youth Employment Initiative prize-giving and handover ceremony at the Hornlee Community Hall on Thursday 30 July.
Hosted by the Department of Local Government's Community Development Workers Programme, the initiative commemorates the 50th anniversary of the June 16 Youth Uprising while encouraging young people to actively pursue employment, internships, learnerships, bursaries and skills development opportunities. The programme aims to improve access to the job market by promoting career readiness, digital inclusion and lifelong learning.
The event brought together representatives from the government, the private sector and community organisations to celebrate the achievements of participating youth and reaffirm their commitment to tackling youth unemployment.
Master of ceremonies Veronique Klein led the proceedings, while Garden Route District Municipality's speaker, a DA PR councillor, Georlene Wolmarans, delivered the welcome address. Devoline Molliken outlined the objectives of the 50 for 50 competition, followed by Community Development Worker Programme deputy director Grant Cook, who provided a provincial overview of the initiative.
Delivering the keynote address, Knysna Mayor Thando Matika congratulated participants for their determination and commitment, describing the ceremony as a celebration of hope, resilience, hard work and opportunity. He said young people remain one of the municipality's greatest assets and reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to expanding opportunities through partnerships, skills development initiatives and improved access to government services.
He encouraged participants to pursue careers across a range of professions and to become future entrepreneurs and community leaders, adding that the municipality wants Knysna to be recognised as a place where young people can thrive.
The mayor also acknowledged the Western Cape Department of Local Government, the Community Development Workers Programme, the Garden Route District Municipality, Vodacom, TFG, Southern Cape Recruitment, the National Youth Development Agency and other partners for supporting youth development through employment, training and skills programmes.
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