The Executive Mayor, Cllr Bongani Baloyi launched the Kgatelopele Youth Development Programme on the 20 January 2017 at the Meyerton Town Hall. The programme is a brain child of one of the Manifesto Promises being “Youth Biaised”. The objective of this promise is to ensure that the municipality utilises its resources and invest in the development and empowerment of the Youth.
The event was attended by the Kgatelopele participants, their parents or legal guardian/s, local businesses and community members. The Executive Mayor thanked all for their attendance and requested parents to support their kids and motivate them throughout the programme. The Executive Mayor reiterated the importance of the programme and how the municipality intends on partnering with young people in addressing service delivery challenges as social entrepreneurs. The programme is not a job opportunity and no stipends will be paid to participants but it is an opportunity for the participants to develop and empower themselves so that they can have the ability to create jobs and employ community members.
The Executive Mayor further emphasised the municipality’s commitment to the programme and that it will be rolled out again in the new financial year. The participants expressed their appreciation as the Executive Mayor was making an address. The Executive Mayor in closing explained that he invited the businesses to ensure that from the on-set business can be part of the programme so that once the participants graduate they can approach local businesses for opportunities.