A youth imbizo, organised by Serving Our Underprivileged People (S.O.U.P) and the Boland Islamic Council Women’s League (BICWL), was hosted on Saturday 22 June.
The event brought young minds from Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Paarl, Wellington, Macassar, Eerste River and Blackheath together for a day filled with inspiration, learning and community engagement.
The event was held in Strand and aimed to empower about 70 youth through various activities and keynote talks from notable figures.
The day commenced with a warm welcome from Haafidha Khadeejah Gabier-Abrahams, setting a positive tone for the gathering, and was followed by an opening qiraa (Qur’anic recitation) by Muhammad Sayid Shaibu, providing a spiritual start to the proceedings.
Moulana Allie Abels then offered sage advice, emphasising the importance of faith and community in personal growth.
Programme director Abdullah Gabier did an amazing job and introduced keynote speaker Paul Griffith from the Waterfront Theatre School (WTS), who delivered an impactful address that captivated the audience, encouraging the youth to pursue their dreams and make positive changes in their lives.
Practical advice was provided by ER24 representatives, equipping those in attendence with essential life-saving skills.
In an engaging session, Soraya Kippie introduced the concept of vision boards, guiding the youth to visualise and set their goals.
Gaireya Fredericks shared her inspiring journey of writing in her mother tongue, Afri-Kaaps, highlighting the importance of perseverance and preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.
The youth enjoyed a delightful lunch sponsored by The Food Planet, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community spirit. BICWL chairperson Sumaya Gabier expressed her satisfaction with the event, saying: “Overall, it was an enjoyable and successful day.”
The imbizo not only provided valuable knowledge and skills but also strengthened the bonds within the community, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
