The City of Cape Town welcomed 50 newly selected junior city councillors (JCC) on Saturday 7 March, chosen from a record-breaking 929 applications for the unique leadership programme.
The JCC is a one-year leadership programme developed to give young people insight into how local government works and the key functions of a municipality.
It provides participants with an opportunity to grow in their knowledge, learn more about themselves, and develop their leadership skills.
The programme also seeks to inspire young people to take an active role in their communities and to be the change they want to see in their immediate environment.
The learners hail from schools across the city including Jan van Riebeeck High School, Sea Point High School, Herzlia High School, South Peninsula High School, Reddam House Constantia, Star College Cape Town and Wynberg Boys’ High School.
People’s Post reached out to some of the bright minds to hear what they expect from the initiative.
Mia Braun, a Grade 10 Herzlia High School learner, said when she heard about the programme she was immediately motivated to “step up and be a voice for the youth” in her community.
“I am passionate about addressing issues affecting young people because we are the future of our country and giving youth a pathway and a strong foundation helps build a better future. I am also excited to learn more about government from experienced leaders and from my peers, and to use this opportunity to make a positive impact.”
Braun hopes to develop leadership skills, public speaking and problem-solving skills through the programme.
Layla Yaghya, from South Peninsula High School, hopes to “amplify the voices” of young people in her community.
“I believe everyone has valuable opinions, and I want to encourage my peers to speak up and value their thoughts. I’d also like to help improve learning circumstances for young students and find ways to encourage them to chase their dreams – to find that thing that drives them and run with it.
Motivated to bring about positive change, Albert Griessel from Jan van Riebeeck High School believes the programme will help “turn community concerns into action”.
“The JCC is the first stepping stone towards making a real change in the lives of real people and I look forward to working with my ward councillor in order to resolve our civic problems.”
Griessel said he is eager to better understand how local government works.
“The JCC promises to teach its councillors about the structures of local government. Thus, it will show us how to tackle community problems in the most effective way and allocate government resources in places that matter.”
For the past five years the programme has been spearheaded by Donovan Nelson, Ward 65 councillor, who played a key role in building the curriculum and expanding the programme.
This year also sees two newly appointed co-custodians of the programme, Nicole Sukers, PR councillor for subcouncil 11, and Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor.
