City’s Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme

In celebration of Youth Month, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, visited Enkululekweni Primary School in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, to engage with beneficiaries of the City’s Youth Literacy and Life Skills Programme.

The initiative, which has grown steadily since its launch, employs Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) recruits to provide literacy support and life skills training to young children in disadvantaged communities. Now in its third year, the programme has supported 552 learners at Enkululekweni Primary School alone. In total, a team of 40 jobseekers were employed, who were 35 and under when the programme began three years ago, and have supported over 3 500 learners at various schools and two libraries in various communities.

‘This is exactly what Youth Month is about – building a platform for young people to thrive. Through this programme, we are empowering unemployed youth with skills, work experience and formal training. At the same time, they are helping to build brighter futures for the next generation by strengthening reading, writing and life skills among young learners,’ said Alderman Twigg.

The programme is led by the City’s Community Services and Health Directorate in partnership with Mellon Educate, with implementation support provided by the Public Empowerment and Development department within the Urban Waste Management Directorate. It focuses on foundation-phase literacy and life skills, including training EPWP recruits as tutors and facilitators for holiday programmes.

‘The programme builds knowledge that not only benefits the participants, but also their families and communities. We are empowering young people with skills that will help them today and improve their future opportunities,’ said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

Each beneficiary receives training in basic tutoring, life skills delivery (including the Essentially Me curriculum aligned with UNODC prevention standards) and professional development skills such as report writing, conflict resolution, project management and early childhood development. Participants also work toward SAQA-accredited qualifications that can open pathways to long-term employment.

‘We are proud of the wide-ranging impact this initiative has. It uplifts our communities by equipping young adults with the tools they need to succeed and by investing in the education of children. It is a wonderful example of what the EPWP can achieve when used not just as an income support tool, but as a stepping stone to lasting opportunity,’ said Alderman Twigg.

The visit coincided with a showcase of learner activities, tutor testimonials, and an engagement session – underscoring the programme’s holistic approach to youth development.