Empowering Winterveldt, South African Youth

REPORT OF THE BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE (BLC), AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021

1. Institutional Collaboration 

Since the Centre’s last report, posted in September 2021, the Centre has continued to establish partnerships with other like-minded institutions to expand it programming.

Examples include:

• Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to introduce and train youth about the importance of technology and to offer skills training to enhance access to potential employment opportunities in the technology field.

Training programs include:

1. Mobile Literacy (completed on November 18, 2021)
2. Digital Age/ Fourth Industrial Revolution.
3. Digital Opportunities, managing network connections, etc.
4. Understanding mobile applications, and many more.

• 2. University of South Africa, is overseeing a competition on scriptwriting (e.g. story telling and poetry)

• Alexandra Art Academy: This partnership offers a collaborative approach to the development of an enhanced Theatre and Drama Education curriculum that includes accreditation and skills development programs in the business of the arts, research and individual finance management.

• Tembisa TX Art Academy:  to provide a new performance platform for Bokamoso youth as well as curriculum and training in stage management and stage set design.

• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), to help train Bokamoso program facilitators, 'Train the Trainer’. This partnership focuses on Theatre and Film Production. The university’s Brethrenbach Student Theatre is offering a performance platform for Bokamoso youth that provides opportunities for them to explore the Theatre space. The ‘HELLO’ programme was created for this purpose.

• The South African State Theatre: This collaboration provides a new platform to display plays (Drama) and offers enhanced mentorship to BLC youth.

• Childline, is currently offering Life Skills training  to nine Bokamoso Youth at their offices, with opportunities for job placement, following completion of the training program in early childhood development.  These employment opportunities are designed to offer BLC Youth hands-on experience to build their confidence and self esteem, by applying their newly acquired knowledge and skills.

(Note, as of this report, two Bokamoso youth who have graduated from this program have already been placed at an organization called Early Child Development (ECD) for six months with a stipend.

• Teacher Assistant, to train Bokamoso youth to be  teacher assistants: This is a government initiative to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth to assist qualified Teachers at various schools. Youth who have completed this training have also been employed as COVID-19 Compliance Officers.

(Note:  as of this report, three Bokamoso alumni have been  placed as Teacher Assistants at various schools for six months with a stipend.

• GOMACC (Gauteng Organisation For Community Of Arts and Culture Centres), to train Bokamoso youth on Digital Media Development.  In addition, GOMACC has pledged to donate musical flutes. GOMACC has also committed to assist the Bokamoso Life Centre with funding applications and accreditation that will permit  BLC to issue certificates that are recognized by different Media Houses for job opportunities throughout the country

(As of this report, several Bokamoso youth who have completed the program, have produced a short  documentary [Please see the attached]).

1.  Fundraising

Efforts are well under way to identify additional resources for funding Centre programmes.  Since the last report filed in September 2021, applications for funding have been submitted to:

• National Lottery Commission.
• Department of Social Development.
• U.S. Embassy in South Africa
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce members in South Africa
• Corporate members of the South African Chamber of Commerce

1. Basetsana Scriptwriting Camp.

The much anticipated BLC-inspired and sponsored camp finally got underway in three segments:

• First group       : 24-30 November 2021.
• Second group. : 15-21 December 2021.
• Third group.     : Mid January 2022.

1. Bokamoso Life Centre’s annual Youth Development Program. Graduation.

The annual graduation ceremony took place on 02 December 2021. A total of 49 youth graduated.

Endreport

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE

SEPTEMBER 2021 QUARTERLY REPORT

Filed September 30, 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Since the last progress report filed in June 2021, the Bokamoso Life Centre’s programs have continued, in spite of the restrictions and challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Beyond its regular programs, the Centre launched and participated in the following additional activities.

 BASETSANA SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOP

 On August 13, 2021 and in support of the Drama and Arts program at the Bokamoso Life Centre, the Centre’s female youth attended a briefing in Pretoria for Basetsana Scriptwriting, in preparation for a follow-up Workshop that will take place from September- December. Most of our young women will be attending the workshop in November. The purpose of the workshop is to encourage young girls and young women to develop an interest in writing and directing plays.  This workshop in November is being organized by the South African Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.

 SHASHALAZI CONCERT and DRAMA COMPETITION

 The youth participants in the Bokamoso’s Life Centre’s Drama group won first prize at the Ga Rankuwa Shashalazi concert and drama competition. The Bokamoso Drama Group will continue on to the Regional Competition in October 2021.

 ABYM WORKSHOP ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (designed for adolescent boys and young men)

Youth boys and young men attended a workshop conducted by Childline at the Bokamoso Life Centre from September 7-10, 2021. The purpose of this workshop was to empower these boys and young men on how to conduct themselves respectfully as future responsible adults. The theme was 'No means No'.

HERITAGE DAY

On September 24, 2021, The Bokamoso Life Centre took part in South Africa’s annual Heritage Day celebrations to recognize the cultural wealth of South Africa. It is a public holiday during which all South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.   To commemorate this date at the Bokamoso Life Centre this year, a stone plaque was unveiled to mark the official expansion of the Centre’s Arts programs.

 The following stakeholders attended this celebration at the Centre:

• Department of Arts and Culture, Sport and Recreation. 
• Curro Academy
• Zakheni training Centre
• GOMACC
• Godisang
• NACOSA
• Ward Counsellor
• Parents.

 ARTS AND CRAFTS PROGRAM EXPANSION 

The Bokamoso Life Centre has appointed a new Creative Arts Coordinator, who’s charge will be to expand the scope and knowledge-base among participating Bokamoso Life Centre youth about art and culture. In addition to the Centre’s longstanding programs in the performing arts that include drama, music and poetry, additional areas of instruction will include an expanded focus on art and design, crafts, pottery, visual arts and choreography. This expansion is underway in recognition of the Center’s youth’s stated interest in art in all of its forms.  The training offered at the Centre is designed to enable talented youth to pursue a career and livelihood in art.  As with all of the Centre’s programs, the art program is designed to empower youth to use art as a vehicle to improve their self-esteem and confidence.