GEORGE NEWS - On Sunday 14 July, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie joined over 1 000 young attendees at the closing ceremony of the YearBeyond 2024 GoBeyond Conference, themed 'Shape Your Future.'
The conference, hosted by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport's YearBeyond programme, took place at the University of the Western Cape. This weekend event featured an array of seminars, workshops, guest speakers, music and dance, designed to inspire and equip participants with greater agency, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
With contributions from more than 70 speakers across various fields, the GoBeyond conference provides support and inspiration to young people within a transformative university environment.
One of the special guests was internationally renowned Musa Motha, a dedicated soccer player who faced cancer and an amputation, who enthralled the audience with his impressive dance performance and shared his story of overcoming challenges.
Other speakers included the first female quadriplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro Chaeli Mycroft, and motivational TED Talk speaker Thabani Mtsi.
Attendees Liam Hoffmeister (left) and Sheldon Gelderbloem (right) were enthralled and inspired by amputee Musa Motha's dance performance.
The programme is a partnership between the National Youth Development Agency, donors and NGOs, and offers unemployed youth aged 18-25 meaningful work experience and pathways to further studies or employment while promoting a culture of community service.
Participants, known as YeBoneers, engage in this year-long programme. Womb to Tomb, a George NGO, is an implementing partner for YearBeyond in the region.
YearBeyond recognises the vast potential within young people and, with the right support, aims to enable dreams and cultivate tenacity, nurturing the next generation of leaders.
A recent impact study by YearBeyond revealed significant results, with over 70% of participants staying active in the economy and their communities after completing the programme.
For the George YeBoneers, the conference has been a notable highlight.
Yeboneer Liyema Skota felt confident about her future after the insightful programme.
Liam Hoffmeister, from the Scouting in Schools Programme, shared, "It was a fantastic learning experience. Musa Motha's performance and story were highlights for me."
YeBoneers from the Rosemoor Primary Catch Up Programme expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, saying they appreciated the invaluable lessons, information, and opportunities for fun and connection provided by the conference.
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