Sibonile Centre strives to empower youth
2009-04-23
Devidean Moses
THE Sibonile Youth Development Centre is a new youth initiative in Mbekweni which assists in skills development, life skills, educational programmes and creates job opportunities for disadvantaged youths and families in the township. According to Bonakele Mnweba, chairperson of Sibonile, the social problems confronting the Mbekweni community are many, including widespread unemployment, drug abuse and gangsterism. He said that 80% of Mbekweni residents are unemployed and the rate of crime and substance abuse is high amongst the youth. Many residents also suffer from TB and HIV/Aids. Sibonile means “we have seen the problem”. So did eight corporate members who decided that caring for people has always been close to their hearts. They seek to implement a comprehensive and sustainable youth centre that will address the fight against poverty. The aim of the centre is to prepare the youth for employment and to improve their quality of living. According to the corporate members, the Mbekweni community need serious assistance and the centre wants to promote positive self-worth and confidence amongst the people. Their mission is to create a non-government organisation (NGO) which will conduct educational programmes on substance abuse and promote skills training programmes that will assist school drop-outs to obtain learner drivers’ licences and computer learning skills. These projects should empower the youth to be responsible in decision-making and live a positive lifestyle in their communities. Sibonile Youth Centre is currently located at G-104 Bomvu Steet, Mbekweni. Anyone who wants to donate plastic chairs, computers, a photocopy machine, a fax machine, photocopy paper, life skills magazines, food for the needy or any other material to the centre, can contact 073-121-7589, 072-998-9071,072-783-6128, 076-844-3638, 072-322-2303 or 072-536-5082.
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