About
The Young Community Shapers Project is a competition for those who are between the ages of 16 – 26 years, and run a valid and well established community project (at least one year old) that benefits and empowers their community.
The project was established in 2000 and runs on an annual basis, with the objective being to identify, acknowledge and celebrate the work that countless youngsters are doing in their communities. The project also aims to develop rural communities, by helping disadvantaged young people to consolidate their achievements, given their circumstances.
In addition to the criteria mentioned above, each candidate must write an essay (max. 300 words) about their project and the ways in which it is helping their community, the candidate must also ensure that their project fits into one of the sub-categories listed below:
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Social Upliftment: Including AIDS & Drug Counselling, Feeding Schemes, Cultural Projects, Nursing etc.
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Skills Transfer: For candidates that invest their time in transferring their skills & knowledge on to the youth.
After the closing date of the competition, a strict judging process takes place, which involves the organisers working through many entries from all over the country. The organisers will go on a road show across the country to verify and film potential finalists. At the end of this process 9 finalists are chosen. The finalists will then be transported to Johannesburg and be accommodated for the national final in Johannesburg.
The winner of the Young Community Shapers project will receive a cash prize towards their project in order to build and sustain the work that they are doing in their respective community. The runner up and each finalist receives a cash prize as well.
Previous winners
Raudah Maapola
Raudah Maapola (2018 YCS winner) runs The Joy of Education project. She provides young children in her community with homework support as well as after care so that they have a safe place to stay after school in order to get them off the streets. Her aim is to develop the children into responsible citizen and future leaders. She also provides activities which contribute to physical development and Christian values.
Katlego Thwane
Katlego, or Kat (2017 YCS winner), runs Atlegang Bana Saturday School. Kat is studying to become a teacher and provides teaching support to 14 children every Saturday to help them with their schooling. Katkego also gives of his time and money to help feed these children who often go without food. He uses his laptop to teach the community computing skills.
Bulelani Nameka
Bulelani Nameka (2016 YCS winner), along with the assistance of volunteers, helps 50 children between the ages of 9-13 who struggle with reading, writing, spelling and Math’s. His project has led to a drastic improvement in these children’s marks at schools. His ultimate goal is to build better futures for these children as they are the future of the country.
Gallery
Raudah Maapola runs The Joy of Education project. She provides young children in her community with homework support as well as after care so that they have a safe place to stay after school in order to get them off the streets. Her aim is to develop the children into responsible citizen and future leaders. She also provides activities which contribute to physical development and Christian values.
Tsholanang Seakamela runs Each 1 Tshwara 1. Her Organization focuses on Tutoring and providing educational resources to grade 10 and 11 learners in her community; provide support to the said pupil’s parents in order to enhance their parenting skills and to create awareness around drug abuse. She provides. She aims to improve the academic performance of young people within her community, to create a healthy environment at home and to reduce drug abuse within her community.
Teboho Mqwathi runs Sharpville Arts and Musical Academy and provides an after school facility to teach different types of creative performing arts and educational support to the youth in his community. He started and continues to provide these opportunities in the hopes to create sustainable livelihood and job opportunities within the music industry for the youth.
Randy Mampuru runs Kidz Hub. She provides academic and personal development activities to children between the ages of 7 to 13 years old in her community. She provides a safe place for young children to spend their time after school while assisting them with homework and also helping them with developing practical life skills. She also teaches the children quality life skills like reading and spelling, recycling and entrepreneurial skills
Sizwe Mehlwana runs Bophelong Tutoring Centre. He provides academic support and career guidance to learners at government schools and the youth in underprivileged communities. His aim is to assist learners form under privileged schools to develop the necessary skills and competencies to compete with their peers form well-resourced schools. He also offers tutoring to 250 high school learners per week assisting them in subjects like Maths and Science.
Revonia Mohapi is involved in a few community programs which surrounds overcoming gender based violence and women empowerment. She empowers women through motivational talks and group session. She focuses on helping young girls between the ages of 13 and 15 years old who have trouble with school work and are involved in substance abuse. She also provides sports activities for the girls in order to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Gcinikhaya Bezana runs an organization which aims to bridge the gap in his community in the following aspects: Education, book clubs, sports and a soup kitchen. His vision is to uphold and bring a positive change in the lives of the youth in his community. He goes about this by providing academic support to learners who needs special attention, a weekly book club to encourage a culture of reading, Sports activities to occupy young people and keep them of the streets.
Rose Modungwa runs an after care centre for the youth in her community. She provides this facility to young children between the ages of 6 to 14 years, providing them with educational assistance and also provides a meal for them every afternoon. Furthermore, she also makes home visits to orphans who live on their own to assist them with household chores and also provides a meal for the disables members of her community at her soup kitchen everyday.
Kerileng Lekome runs A re Agisaneng Community Project. She aims to build a better community to ensure that the youth have a chance at a better future by educating them on topics like birth control and HIV/Aids to reduce their community’s high rate of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts. She goes about this by providing a support group for the young ladies and tutoring in various subjects that they struggle with. She also encourages spiritual fitness by provide a bible study group.