Latest news with #AfrikaTikkun
Daily Maverick
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Amid a mental health crisis, every single one of us in SA is responsible for our young people
It is my opinion that South Africa is going through a mental health depression as a result of our state institutional failures and our runaway inequality, which is causing poverty and in turn fuels violence and inevitably crime. In fact, the Mental State of the World in 2023 report, having surveyed 71 countries, placed South Africa among the bottom three countries along with Uzbekistan and the UK in respect of mental wellbeing. The report went on to highlight that people under 35 had the biggest drop in wellbeing. Interestingly, some of the factors named as contributing to the decline in mental health are the introduction of smartphones at a young age, the consumption of ultra-processed foods and weakened connections with family and friends. Youth Day, celebrated on 16 June, often makes me wonder how genuine our commitment to investing in our young people is. Can we really claim to be harnessing the human potential they represent with due care when a lack of educational reform, social stability and employment opportunities are creating a mental health crisis that has been flagged for years? The youth of 1976, who are now in their fifties and sixties, have had to navigate post-traumatic stress disorder from the violence of the time, and also from the disillusionment of present-day South Africa. Coming out of Child Protection Week, during which violence against children was highlighted by both statistics and stories of how this violence takes hold and is perpetuated, the urgency for intervention has never been clearer. There have been many calls for young people to be centred more in policymaking, yet 45% of them are still not employed, nor are they in educational or training institutions. Afrika Tikkun, a youth development civil society organisation, has found through its youth intervention programmes that prolonged unemployment is leading to rising cases of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, unplanned pregnancies and even suicidal ideation among young people. During Mental Health Awareness Week last month, Sello Moloi, Afrika Tikkun's delivery lead for work readiness, said: 'The government can play a leading role by expanding access to mental health services at community level and by embedding mental health education into schools. 'Corporates should take bold steps to invest in youth development, not only through job creation, but also by funding holistic support services, including mental health. Internships and learnerships should include structured psychosocial support, mentorship and safe spaces for reflection and wellbeing.' This integrated approach acknowledges that responsibility for our young people belongs to us all. The best marker of 16 June this year and into the future can only be to earnestly take action in respect of the many solutions that have been proposed by various organisations based on existing empirical data. The evidence is here. We come face-to-face with it daily as both disenchanted and still hopeful young people do the best they can to survive in circumstances in which even we as adults are struggling. DM
TimesLIVE
21-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Keep dreaming: Wits law graduate says mentorship helped him defy the odds
When his mother passed away in 2003, not only was Ostern Kgoitsimodimo Tefo's life shattered, but he also became an orphan early in his life. Despite the loss, Tefo didn't allow his circumstances to define his path in life. Raised by his grandmother, Beauty Gladys Tefo, in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, he kept dreaming beyond what seemed possible. 'My grandmother was the head of the household and a domestic worker for most of her life. She made sure she enrolled me at school,' he said. Tefo, 25, went to Muzomuhle Primary school, then Itirele Zenzele High School, where he matriculated in 2017. Though life may seem difficult growing up without parents, today, Tefo tells the story of resilience, humility and appreciation — valuable lessons he learnt from his challenges. 'My advice to young people facing similar challenges is to understand the power of building relationships and networking. 'Never underestimate how valuable it is to know the right people, they can open doors you never imagined. Most importantly, keep dreaming, dream beyond what seems possible. The challenges I had shaped the person I am today. Without them, I wouldn't have developed the resilience, humility and appreciation I have now,' he said. Tefo recently graduated from Wits University after he acquired his second qualification, an LLB degree. His first degree, a BA, was funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). In 2011, as a soccer-loving youngster, he joined the Afrika Tikkun through one of the former facilitators, Thembinkosi Nxumalo, popularly known as 'Zidane,' who coached soccer. 'We used to play street soccer, and Zidane, who worked at Afrika Tikkun, would often see us and encourage us to join. My friends and I enrolled, initially to play football, but we soon discovered that Afrika Tikkun offered far more than just soccer. I stayed with the organisation for many years, benefiting from its various programmes,' he said. Tefo said the organisation transformed his life and steered him away from the dangers of gangsterism, drug and substance abuse, and alcohol abuse. He said, besides keeping him safe, the organisation helped him develop crucial social skills and gave him opportunities to participate in exchange programmes that enabled and expanded his dreams beyond the prospect of imagination. There, he learnt valuable skills such as networking, public speaking and how to express himself confidently without fear of prejudice. In 2018, he studied a BA, funded by NSFAS. After completion, he pursued his original passion, law. 'Though NSFAS no longer funded me, Afrika Tikkun, through the recommendation of Julia Thobakgale, the Jewish community and the Wits Hardship Fund stepped in to support me,' he said. He said one of the biggest challenges was the lack of stable financial support. He said his grandmother, on her limited pension, continued to assist him, and Klaas Mokgomole stepped in whenever he could. 'It was a tough journey, but perseverance kept me going. Today, I hold two degrees from Wits University. I had Mokgomole to get me through Wits' challenges, offered support beyond just mentorship. 'Mokgomole offered me his place to stay for one year because NSFAS took time to pay for my fees. I had support, and my grandmother would send me money at times. Some of the challenges were adapting to the fast pace and having to do things independently,' he said. He added that during his LLB studies, he did not have a reliable monthly income and that forced him to do odd jobs. 'I started tutoring, working part-time. Afrika Tikkun would provide me with a stipend to help alleviate the challenges,' he said. Tefo said amazing mentors assisted him throughout his academic journey, shaped him into a bold and confident young man. 'I truly believe in the saying, 'a leader can only produce their own kind,' and through Klaas's mentorship, I've become a strong and capable leader. Mam Julia Thobakgale has also been instrumental in my journey, offering guidance during tough times,' he said. Afrika Tikkun, in partnership with the KFC Add Hope programme, invest in a generation of young people by addressing not just their educational and developmental needs, but their most fundamental human right: nutritious food. 'At Afrika Tikkun, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow into an educated, values-driven, career-ready adult. Our holistic, cradle-to-career model supports children and youth across every stage of development from early childhood to school readiness, academic achievement, and skills development for the workforce,' said Tlaleng Nkopane, partnerships executive at Afrika Tikkun. Nkopane said they know that no child can thrive on an empty stomach, and that's where the Add Hope programme plays a crucial role. Through the daily provision of nutritious meals at five centres nationwide, Add Hope helps to make their mission a reality.
