Youth benefit from 2017 National Youth Camp

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Trailblazers who recently attended the National Youth Camp have applauded the programme for empowering them with knowledge and life skills that will make them better citizens.

A total of 250 young people from different parts of KwaZulu-Natal were chosen to participate in the camp at Didima Camp, at the Drakensberg, in the KZN midlands on 01-07 October. The National Youth Camps took place simultaneously in all nine provinces.

The youth said they benefited immensely from all the educational and recreational programmes offered by the youth camp.

Theolin Naidoo, a youth camp participant (Trailblazer) highlighted his overall experience, and what he gained from the 2017 National Youth Camp.

“Hearing about the youth camp at first was a daunting challenge, but when we came here we were welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff. The knowledge and skills that I’ve gained from the youth camp include; social cohesion, leadership skills, communication skills and how to assist the local community.

“I will take this knowledge and make sure that I pass it on to my peers at school, also ensuring that I plough it back into my community,” he said.

Another trailblazer, Kwezi Radebe, said she will use what she learnt for her own benefit and for her community.

“The skills and knowledge that I’ve learnt at the youth camp are to socialise with people from all walks of life, people who I never thought I’d make friends with. When I go to the outside world, I plan on installing faith in myself and in my community. I also plan on teaching my community team building skills, teaching them that many hands are better than one,” she said.

The National Youth Camp is a leadership development programme organised by the National Department of Sport and Recreation, with the support of provincial departments. It encourages healthy growth by providing young people the ability to analyse their own strengths and weaknesses; to set personal and vocational goals; and to gain the self-esteem, confidence, motivation, and abilities to carry out those goals not only for themselves, but for the communities they come from.

The participants from around the province joined the camp in hopes of learning about social cohesion, leadership, nation building and provide community service. The vision of the camp is to also encourage learners to learn, lead and serve the community through participation in sport and recreation. This year’s theme “YOUth Can” aims at encouraging the youth to strive for excellence in whatever they do.

In her message, KZN MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation Mrs Bongi Sithole-Moloi urged participants to remain focused and learn from the activities.

“You must use the life skills you will learn to develop yourselves and your peers at home and schools. We need young people who are focused, disciplined, patriotic and willing to serve their communities without unnecessary expectations of material reward,” she said.

Vision

A healthy, winning, and socially cohesive province through sport and recreation.

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