By Thato Mgoma
Pictures by Thato Mgoma
The Galeshewe Youth Network, in collaboration with Youth Support Programme, hosted a Youth Exhibition Indaba on 23 June at Bantu Hall, Kimberley. The purpose was to address social issues like gender-based violence, including mental health. Also, empowering young people by providing information about possible work opportunities and business funding.
Representatives from various institutions such as Careline, Care Centre, Beef Master and Government Departments attended.
Charmaine Hassan from the Department of Health, School Health Programme, spoke on adolescence and advised the youth to abstain from sex, “You can’t miss something you have never experienced. You won’t miss having sex if you avoid having it completely. Act your age and you will save yourself from teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections”.
This statement was received with mixed emotions. Ntebogeng Nontlantla (23) reiterated, “you can’t tell the youth not to have sex. We know it’s going to happen anyway. What is the department doing about such cases?”
Twenty-two-year-old Malebogo Disetlhe blamed social media and the internet for teenage sexual interaction.
Author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Tshepo Gaerupe said that the youth is losing their opportunities by not applying when windows open, resulting in funds being reallocated to other provinces.
Gaerupe emphasized the beauty of writing in African languages.
Masego Zaola, from the Department of Treasury, informed the youth about the importance of information, “office work is not as glamorous as you might think. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT), has a unit that provides opportunities for the youth. They support enterprises in all districts by providing access and information to Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), SARS compliance and business advice. They also help informal sectors to formalize businesses.”
The gathering attracted community members, especially the youth from various careers and interests. A rapper, Tebogo Galenwe (26), said, “this is an excellent and insightful initiative. I do not know what took them so long to develop this idea, but I am glad it is finally happening”. He wished that some of his friends knew about it and promised to spread the word for the following exhibitions.
Neo Phatswana (19) indicated that he went to learn about available bursaries but got more than he expected.
The Youth Support Programme Project Manager, Sydney Pucoe, says the number of attendees exceeded their expectations and plans to host the exhibition monthly to share new information.
The exhibition also gave the Galeshewe Youth Network a platform to expose their services, including drawing up a curriculum vitae, registering Non-Profit Organizations and SMMEs and anything related to employment and skills development. They are available daily at Mayibuye Uprising Memorial Precinct, Galeshewe, in Number 2.
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