Chatsworth youth treated to artsy fest
The festival was a partnership between the South Durban Basin Area Based Management Office (SDB ABM), ward councillor, Previn Vedan and community organisations.
Youth were given the rare opportunity to showcase their talents at a Youth Arts Festival, held at the Shallcross Sports Stadium, recently.
Artists included singers, dancers, poets and theatre acts.
The festival was a partnership between the South Durban Basin Area Based Management Office (SDB ABM), ward councillor, Previn Vedan and community organisations.
The event was also the last in a series of youth month events held in the area.
Project leader, Irene Chetty, from the SDB ABM said, “The programme aimed to recognise youth for their work and promote the need for social upliftment within the city. We also used the opportunity to highlight pertinent social issues where experts provided advice to educate and empower the community between performances.”
MEC for finance, Ravi Pillay, lauded the organisers for such an event.
“This is what we like to see. Our youth are our future leaders and we need to give them the platform to showcase their talent and what they can offer to society,” he said.
Thami Ntimbane from the Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre spoke on human trafficking and its dangers.
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“People are kidnapped for many reasons. Some are taken for their body parts while others are being used for child pornography or to be sex slaves. Social media is also a very dangerous space. There are people with fake accounts that target vulnerable users,” he said.
Ntimbane also offered valuable advice.
He added, “Do not go anywhere alone. Ensure your social media accounts are secure and stand by those, who have suffered as a result of human trafficking.”
Cllr Vedan said that a few weeks ago, a youngster committed suicide in the ward and a meeting was called. Youth were vocal about the challenges they were facing like young mothers, drugs and lack of support towards the performing arts.
Cllr Vedan explained the interventions thereafter.
He said, “We had a sports tournament, legal day and a youth summit. This festival is the ultimate activity to wrap up our youth month programme.”
Thembelani Kawula said that he enjoyed the festival. “Wow! This was an amazing day for us young people. It has developed us, uplifted us and inspired us. We are so thankful,” he shared.
Kawula said that he hopes it will take place annually.
