MEC SHINGA EMPOWERS 49 YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS AT TOLOMANE MNYAYIZA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN BHOBHOYI

By Sifiso Xulu.

• MEC Mbali Shinga celebrated the graduation of 49 youth from the skills development programme in Bhobhoyi.
• The initiative supports youth empowerment, skills development, and economic participation, addressing contemporary social challenges.
• ⁠The MEC distributed startup kits for plumbing, clothing manufacturing, and culinary skills (professional cooking) to the graduates during the ceremony.

Today marked a pivotal moment for the youth of KwaZulu-Natal, as Ms. Mbali Shinga, the MEC for Social Development, celebrated the graduation of 49 students who completed the department’s youth development program. This event took place in Bhobhoyi, as part of the department’s Youth Month celebrations under the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality.
In her address, MEC Shinga acknowledged the ongoing social challenges confronting communities, noting that while the youth of 1976 fought for freedom, today’s generation faces a different struggle against social ills and substance abuse. She encouraged graduates to use their newly acquired skills to shape a brighter future and to remain committed to personal growth and development.

“We are no longer just a welfare department; we are actively developing young people to become socially and economically engaged citizens,” Shinga emphasised. She urged the graduates to seize opportunities and make choices that would protect and advance their skills and talents.

The programme’s 49 graduates acquired practical skills in areas such as sewing, plumbing, cooking, and basic computing, providing them with a solid foundation to build sustainable livelihoods. To further support their entrepreneurial journey, the MEC distributed starter kits for plumbing, clothing manufacturing, and professional cooking. These resources form part of the department’s broader strategy to empower youth entrepreneurs, stimulate job creation, and drive economic growth, in line with the priorities of the Government of Provincial Unity.