Social Development

a)(i) The Western Cape Department of Social Development's youth development programmes, implemented through transfer payment agreements with community-based organisations (CBOs), is subject to budgetary constraints. Despite this, the programmes have exceeded expectations, with CBOs demonstrating exceptional commitment by serving more than the targeted number of youth. This achievement is a testament to the programmes' inclusivity and responsiveness to community needs, as no young person seeking assistance has been turned away.

(The Department's ability to scale youth development programmes is fundamentally dependent on budget allocation. To bridge the gap between need and reach, the Department's measurable plan includes advocating for increased budget allocation to enable the expansion of Youth Cafés and the number of funded CBOs across the province, particularly in high-risk areas. The department will also strengthen its partnerships with municipalities, the private sector, and other stakeholders to mobilise additional resources and extend programme coverage. In addition, the department will continue to advocate for a multi-sectoral approach that integrates youth development with other departmental programmes such as Social Crime Prevention, Children and Families, and Substance Abuse services to maximise impact with available resources.

b)(i) From the Department’s Social Crime Prevention Programme: The Department prioritises the 20 highest-risk crime precincts by deploying social workers, social auxiliary workers and lay counselors to deliver direct interventions to vulnerable youth. These efforts focus on the provisions of direct interventions to vulnerable youth to reduce their vulnerability and exposure to gang recruitment through mentorship, counseling and community-based life skills and support.

From the Department’s Youth Development Programme: The department targets youth between the ages of 14 and 35 for skills development programmes, aiming to enhance employability. After-school support programmes provide safe spaces for young people, offering academic support and soft skills training, including leadership and life skills. These initiatives are designed to foster confidence and a sense of belonging, potentially mitigating the risk of gang recruitment.  Although the focus is on holistic skills development, the programme is supported by the Social Crime prevention and other Welfare programmes to effect change in high gang areas. The DSD has previously participated in the Area Based Committee structure as part of a collective to intervene in these areas.

(ii) Social Crime Prevention Programme effectiveness is assessed using indicators such as:

• Participation rates in interventions.
• Behavioral change metrics, including improved peer relationships and positive peer mentoring, positive alternative lifestyle choices.
• Reduction in risk factors such as truancy, substance abuse, bullying, gang involvement, school dropouts, and recidivism.
• Ongoing programme follow-ups and after-care support to sustain positive engagement and reduce re-offending.

Youth Development Programme:

• The Department employs various mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of its programmes. Regular evaluations and monitoring are conducted to gauge programme impact and inform future strategies. The Youth Development Programme reports only on the number of Youth in Skills Development and the number of Youth Cafes operational. These interventions are reported on a quarterly basis during the performance information reporting period when submitting Non- Financial Data (NFD). Annual monitoring is undertaken to ensure compliance to contracts and service delivery.

(c) The Department has implemented a range of targeted programmes in the top 10 murder precincts from 2019 to 2025 to date, aimed at preventing gang recruitment, substance abuse, and other social ills. These include:

1. Gang Recruitment Prevention:

• School-Based Crime Prevention and Life Skills Programmes: Behaviour modification interventions such as anger management, conflict resolution, anti-bullying programmes, and interpersonal relationship skills to promote resilience to crime and violence among learners.
• School holiday programmes: Structured activities during vulnerable periods to keep youth engaged and safe.
• Parenting and Family Support Programmes: Focused on improving family cohesion and reducing vulnerability to gang influence.
• Child and Youth Care Centres: Offering therapeutic counselling, behavioural management, and vocational training for at-risk youth, including those excluded from mainstream schooling.
• Youth Cafés: Safe spaces providing mentorship, digital literacy, job readiness training, and recreational activities to divert youth from gang involvement.
• Adult Basic Education and Vocational Skills Development: Offered through residential facilities and community-based NPOs to promote reintegration and economic independence

2. Substance Abuse Prevention:

• School-Based Substance Prevention Programmes: Implemented in schools within high-crime precincts to raise awareness and promote healthy choices.
• Community-Based Anti-substance Abuse Awareness Programmes: Conducted through NGOs and local structures to address substance abuse as a driver of violence
• Substance Abuse Treatment Programmes include: Community-based substance use disorder treatment services, early intervention treatment services for substance use disorders, residential treatment services and aftercare and reintegration services for substance use disorders, to address the criminogenic risks and vulnerabilities of addiction.

3. Prevention of Other Social ills:

• The reduction of social ills requires a whole-of-society approach.
• The Department therefore aligns itself with the Western Cape Safety Plan, which is a multi-sectoral, preventative approach focused on strengthening protective factors for vulnerable youth and families.
• The Department is therefore an active member of all inter-departmental crime prevention partnerships, including:
  • the Provjoints Anti-Gang Priority and School Safety Priority Committees for collaborative crime prevention initiatives;
  • Area-Based Teams (ABTs) which was established to coordinate targeted interventions and monitor gang-related activity in high-risk communities; and
  • Planet Youth which is an internationally recognised, evidence-based prevention model that aims to reduce substance use and other risky behaviours among young people by strengthening protective factors in their environments

Furthermore, The Youth Development Programme aims to create opportunities for young people to develop constructive relationships, acquire skills, and contribute to their communities' development. The Youth Development Programme funds 24 organisations across the province, with the highest number funded in the gang hotspots. Youth Cafés are operational in Nyanga/Gugulethu, Crossroads and Mitchells Plain. Community based organisations are funded in Elsies River, Strand, Masiphumele and Salt River.

Key initiatives include:

• Providing holistic skills transfer, training, and personal development programmes for youth, with a focus on those Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET).
• Operating Youth Cafés and partnering with CBOs to deliver specialised skills training, mentoring, and support initiatives.
• Offering online training opportunities, digital literacy skills, academic support, reproductive health education, leadership, and life skills training.
• Mainstreaming activities for youth with disabilities to enhance their skills and confidence