Youth development is generally defined as “A positive process which prepares and facilitates the smooth transition from childhood to adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help young people to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically and cognitively competent. Positive youth development addresses the broader developmental needs of youth, in contrast to deficit - based models, which focus solely on youth problems.”

Therefore against this definition the Department engaged in the establishment of Youth Service Centres, as a one-stop service centre for youth. This centres offers a range of services and programmes, ranging from computer services, social cohesion programmes to training and capacity building workshops. Like most townships, Louisvale has a high youth population and unemployment is very high amongst young people. The township is plagued with a variety of social ills ranging from substance abuse to teenage pregnancy and violence against women and children. In fact this small town became known as the place where the youngest child was raped, namely baby Tshepang. Young people continue to constitute the majority of victims of crime and perpetrators of crimes in the Louisvale area.

On the 06 March 2012 MEC Alvin Botes will be officially opening the Henry Goeieman Youth Service Centre to the community of Louisvale in Upington. The main aim of the Henry Goeieman Youth Service Centre in the Louisvale Community is to assist with the

Reduction of substance abuse
Access to Social Development Services
Tackling of social crime
Promotion National Youth Service Programme
Community development through mobilization, advocacy and social facilitation
Strengthening of service delivery by government
Promotion of access to information and programmes aimed at young people
Job preparedness programmes
Support Business Services for upcoming youth entrepreneurs
HIV/Aids programmes
Inter-Generational Programmes

The department funded the Service Centre with an amount of R 120 000 to establish the centre and to implement programmes which will achieve the above-mentioned aims.

The media is hereby cordially invited to the official opening of the Henry Goeieman Youth Service Centre. The details of the launch is as forth :

Venue : Henry Goeieman Youth Service Centre

Khara Hais Municipal Office

Louisvale Upington

Date : 06 March 2012
Time : 15h00

For any further enquiries you can contact Conrad Fortune at 0798730679


ISSUED BY

Conrad Fortune
Manager : Communications
Department of Social Development
0798730679