Global Changemakers

Asanda Dodi with Sizwe Matoti

South Africa is an emerging economy, a post Apartheid, post-colonisation country, striving to correct the economic imbalances of the past. Most of the focus has been in building an economically viable country with the hope that its policies will benefit all its citizens. However, it is important for both government and private sector to note that economic growth should also lead to social-development; it is absolutely disturbing to find people still living under unforgiving circumstances.

One young man from Khayelitsha Township in Cape Town has initiated the YepClan, a project aimed at resolving the social imbalances which have lead to unequal economic distribution, through offering young people from the township an alternative to gangsterism and drugs, and equipping them with social skills to become active members of society.

The project activities include the Mandela Park Cycling Club in association with Paddle Power South Africa, which sought to promote the sport of cycling in the area. Another project is Greening Young Minds, a nature and water conservation project which also educates on the effects of global warming. Other projects are YepClan Kids Games, a project aimed at promoting sports through the revival of indigenous Xhosa games. Toast Masters, a Communication and English Language Support Programme for learners from townships who do not have English as a mother-tongue. A mentoring programme: Each1Teach1, this project aims to expose high school and college students to the working world. Partnering learners with company and industry professionals to facilitate their career development

Khayelitsha, one of the areas where support from local government lacks, the project would like to see an improvement in the investment in young people from government; not just financially but also in providing assistance, involving and consulting with young people in decision making and policy formation as well as to stop the mismanagement of funds.

 
His vision is to expand the project in the next 3 years, taking it to the rural areas of the Eastern Cape region making it more inclusive. And to continuously inspire more youth to initiate the change. He asks for young people to think before deciding and to not allow other people to make decisions for them, and always maintain an open mind and fear not to acquire tools to facilitate growth. But in a broader sense, he seeks to replace the negativities in society with positive participation and use sustainable implements in combating the social ills in our society. “With activities we replace negativities”.