Celebrating Learners Making Positive Changes in their Schools and Communities
On 16 August 2019, the winning teams of provincial primary and secondary school national finalists gathered at Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng to showcase the sustainable impact they made on social, environmental, educational or economic challenges in their schools or communities nationally.
This is the 10th Annual Youth Citizens Action Programme (YCAP) National Championship Event.
Empowervate Trust in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education implement the Youth Citizens Action Programme (YCAP).
The YCAP programme provides project management, social entrepreneurship and life skills through its YCAP Toolkit and workshops, as well as platforms for learners to showcase their impactful and sustainable projects at district, provincial and national level.
This year, over 400 schools registered to participate in Y-CAP, comprising over 4000 primary and secondary school learners from and all nine provinces.
During Youth Month and Mandela Month, district events, followed by provincial events took place throughout the country to identify the most impactful projects from each category and province.
The showcase event weekend included singing happy 10th Birthday, the launch of the inspirational YCAP Song, “ Shine” which was written and performed by alumna from KZN, Mbuyiselo Vilakazi and Empowervate CEO Amanda Blankfield-Koseff, a wonderful motivational talk by 2010/2011 Miss South Africa and successful businesswoman Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala as well as a mindfulness workshop by Mind Freedom Fighter Niki Seberini to assist learners in being present and overcoming persistent thoughts that cause anxiety, low self-esteem and other common issues.
The 2019 Y-CAP National Finalists who showcased their impactful projects at the Nationals were:
National Finalists – Primary Schools:
1. Gauteng – Uitsig Primary from Tshwane South and Tokelo Secondary from Sedibeng West
2. KZN – Kranskop Primary from Umzinyathi district and Sivelile High from Ugu district
3. Western Cape – Christmas Tinto Primary from Metro East and Goodwood College from Metro North district
4. North West – Tlhasedi Primary and Lerome Secondary both from Bojanala district
5. Northern Cape – Oranje Oewer Primary (ZFM) and Floors High (Frances Baard district)
6. Mpumalanga – Mashishing Secondary (Bojanala)
7. Free State – Khutsong Primary from Lejweleputswa district and Retshedisitswe Secondary from Fezile Dabi district
8. Limpopo – Nkomo Primary (Mopani) and EPP Mhinga Secondary (Vhembe)
9. Eastern Cape – Stephen Nkomo Primary (Amathole East) and Khotso Secondary (Lusikisiki)
The 2019 winners received tablets and runners up received power banks and both will receive prize money to continue their project or start a new one.
The winners are:
Primary Schools:
Beginner Category
- Oranje-Oewer Primary, Northern Cape – Environmental issues (littering, cleaning up at school)
- Kranskop Primary, KZN – Environmental issues (recycling at school)
Advanced Category
- Stephen Nkomo Primary, Eastern Cape – Social issues (caring for a disabled learner in their class)
- Nkomo Primary, Limpopo – Social issues (eradication of bullying at school)
Secondary Schools:
Beginner Category:
- Sivelile High, KZN – Environmental and Nutrition (repairing the school’s kitchen and learning building skills)
- Retshedisitswe High, Free State – Environmental and Safety issues (improving the safety and security at the school)
Advanced Category:
- Floors High, Northern Cape – Social issues (Know your worth – increased self-esteem and drug abuse prevention)
- Mashishing High, Mpumalanga – Academic and environmental issue (Know your worth – increased self-esteem and drug abuse prevention)
The Change Agents for Sustainability Award winners were from 4 provinces and they showed how the YCAP project has been sustained over years and how the methodology has helped them to make other positive changes in their schools and communities.
The programme’s major sponsors through Empowervate Trust are Deutsche Bank South Africa Foundation, DSV SA, and providing in-kind donations are UNISA, Airlink, and Boston City Campus. Empowervate is in need of more funders and support to continue to run the programme and to reach more schools in South Africa.
Together, we are encouraging the youth to be proactive – being the change they want to see. Youth: Empowered.
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