MELODING, VIRGINIA – A total of 120 unemployed youths from Meloding are taking part in a youth development programme aimed at equipping them with practical life skills, employability training and entrepreneurship skills.

The Out-of-School Youth Communities and Justice Programme, presented by the Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) in partnership with Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, is being rolled out in Meloding in the Free State.

The programme began on 20 July and concludes on 27 July.

The programme combines classroom learning with practical experiences. Topics include crime prevention, the criminal justice system, substance abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), mental health, financial literacy, constitutional rights, employability, correctional services, career development and entrepreneurship. As part of experiential learning, participants visit correctional facilities to gain first-hand insight into the consequences of criminal behaviour and the importance of making positive life choices.

A new feature of this year’s programme is a skills development component focusing on social enterprise and business enterprise.

Genl. Riah Phiyega, chief executive officer of the SSAF, said investing in young people was essential to reducing crime.

“Every young person represents potential waiting to be unlocked,” she said.

“When we invest in those who have fallen outside formal education, we are not merely addressing unemployment.

“We are strengthening the social fabric of our communities.”

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