Social Development
- What specific programmes or partnerships does his Department have in place to keep young people meaningfully engaged during the upcoming holiday period, particularly in communities that are experiencing high levels of gun violence and crime, (b) how is his Department working with other government departments to provide safe spaces, youth programmes or job opportunities that prevent children from being exposed to criminal activities during the festive season?
- The Western Cape Department of Social Development has various programmes in place that focus on Children and Families, Social Crime Prevention, Disabilities, Poverty, Substance Abuse, Gender Issues, Children in Child and Youth Care Centre, and Foster Children. All these programmes have a youth focus.
The Crime Prevention & Support Programme, in partnership with funded NPOs, provides holiday programmes in the following high-crime areas: Hanover Park, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Phillipi, Mitchell’s Plain, Seawinds, Lavender Hill, Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Strand, Delft, Bishop Lavis, Elsies River, Darling, Stellenbosch, Wellington, Genadendal. These programmes provide a safe, fun, and enriching environment for children during school breaks. These programs support social, emotional, and physical development through structured activities, promoting learning and skill-building outside the classroom, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and fostering inclusion and community connection
The Youth Development Programme renders services through their funded organisations. These funded organisations render skills development services to enhance the lives of participants and to enable them to live independently. Coupled with these services, after-school programmes are presented at the various youth café to assist school going participants to master homework in a safe empowering environment.
The DSD funds twelve operational youth cafes in the following:
- Mitchells Plain
- Crossroads
- Gugulethu/ Manenberg
- Villiersdorp
- Riversdale
- Oudtshoorn
- George
- Uniondale
- Great Brakriver
- Vrygrond
- Saldanha
- Velddrif
These services are presented in partnership with municipalities and other Departments.
Furthermore, various NGOs/Designated Child Protection Organisations are rendering holiday programmes during the festive season. See attached programmes.
- DSD is a member of the School Safety and Anti-Gang Provincial Joint sub-committees. These two committees are chaired by WCED and DPOCS respectively, and consist of representatives from the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, and City of Cape Town (Law Enforcement). The focus of the two Committees is the tackling of crime and violence and gangsterism from a whole-of -society and -government approach, through partnership and support of initiatives that promote safer communities.
The DSD Youth Development Programme has MOUs with Municipalities and Transfer Payment Agreements with funded organisations to render holistic Youth Development Services to Youth Not in Education, Employment and or Training. These services are rendered from Youth Cafes, Thusong Centres and organisational premises.
