PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Renicia Willemse is a 38-year-old community worker from New Horizons, Plettenberg Bay, who has just been elected to the Bitou council as a proportional representative councillor for the DA.
"I'm a young woman that loves my community, and I'm a strong fighter for fairness and justice for the youth," says Renicia.
"Being a young woman living in a world where the abnormal has become the new normal, I had a vision to change the narrative that our generation is the lost generation."
She started as a youth leader in her local church in 2013. She soon realised that the youth "are broken and are desperate for someone to listen to them and someone to tell them that they are loved".
With guidance from her pastor she became noticed by the local SAPS crime officer, and was elected as chairperson for the Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD). That led to her being elected as the Provincial Youth Desk vice-chairperson, covering 13 police stations on the Garden Route.
"Through the YCPD programme we were able to host productive youth development programmes that enabled the youth to channel their energy in a more positive manner. We created platforms and opportunities for young people to identify their weaknesses, and motivated them to change their weaknesses into strengths," says Renicia.
Late in 2020 the YCPD was registered as an NPO and it gave the organisation the ability to support struggling families with financial needs, and provide to feeding schemes.
Some of the services offered by the YCPD include the Secret Santa Youth Camp team building initiative, a computer literacy programme, parental support, an after-school reading programme, and adopt an addict support groups.
" I believe everyone is born for a purpose and to be successful. Yes, we face many trials during this journey called life, but our current situation doesn't define our destiny.
"Never stop dreaming, never stop believing. Change starts with you. Be the change," says Renicia.
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