As the nation grapples with stark nequalities, pervasive poverty and a dire youth unemployment rate, Afrika Tikkun, a leading non-profit, youth development organisation, marks its 30-year legacy of creating holistic development, sustainable impact and tackling South Africa’s (SA’s) entrenched socio-economic disparities to foster an equitable society for all.
The country’s transition to democracy 30 years ago marked the beginning of a new era, one that promised equality and opportunities for all its citizens. Similarly, Afrika Tikkun’s inception 30 years ago was fuelled by a vision to uplift SA’s most vulnerable, ensuring that the promise of democracy reaches every child and young adult, regardless of their socio-economic background, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
Marc Lubner, Executive Deputy Chairperson, Afrika Tikkun, said, “Underpinned by the belief that every child and youth have the right to thrive, Afrika Tikkun seeks to serve, and we serve to impact! As mere facilitators, we nurture and develop SA’s young people, enabling them to discover their truest potential and realise a better future.”
Operating in nine centres across SA, Afrika Tikkun provides education, nutrition, health, social services and skills development to disadvantaged children and youth. Its unique Cradle-to-Career 360° model is a comprehensive approach to child and youth development, offering a set of comprehensive programmes to counter poverty and inequality, actively working towards the reduction of youth unemployment in a sustainable manner.
Afrika Tikkun’s programmes consider the needs of young individuals across different stages of their lives, from pre-school to high school, followed by a post matric programme offering jobs skills training and driving job placements.
“Our programmes culminate in the development of talented and disciplined youths, instilled with good values from an early age. These individuals are brimming with potential and ready to meet the in-demand skills needed from SA’s labour pool,” said Dr Onyi Nwaneri, Group CEO of Afrika Tikkun.
Over the last 30 years, the organisation has enriched the lives of more than 325 000 young people, served twenty-five million nutritious meals, distributed over 77 000 food parcels, provided social support services to approximately 105 000 families and conducted over 15 000 primary healthcare interventions.
Despite these achievements, there is still significant progress that needs to be made, SA’s unemployment rate of 33% is the highest globally and our youth unemployment rates are even more alarming. Partnering with government’s Youth Employment Service (YES) programme, Afrika Tikkun aims to create substantial work opportunities for unemployed youth through its Head Start Programme.
“Investing in skills development and vocational training equips youth to navigate the demands of an evolving global economy. The YES initiative seeks not only to improve the lives of young people but also to assist in the expansion of enterprises in which they are employed. Placement into well-suited employment requires an investment over time that provides a seamless transition from infancy to career,” said Nwaneri.
Afrika Tikkun is an advocate for partnership-focused initiatives and the power of collaboration in creating sustainable socio-economic solutions.
“Partnerships with the private sector; government; other NGOs; and civil society are critical to advancing our country. Nelson Mandela, our Chief Patron in Memoriam, showed SA that sustainable change comes through collaboration. We exemplify the fact that collective efforts can achieve extraordinary outcomes," Lubner added.
In recognition of its 30th anniversary, Afrika Tikkun has launched a “What Afrika Tikkun Means to Me” campaign, a tribute to countless real-life stories of hope, resilience and success. “Featuring a series of events, testimonials and multimedia content, the campaign highlights inspiring testimonials and success stories from talented young people who’ve been part of our journey, illustrating the significance and scale of our support programmes,” said Nwaneri.
Having joined the Afrika Tikkun programme 25 years ago, when he was just five years old, one beneficiary, Abraham Langa, is a true testament to the power of Afrika Tikkun’s Cradle-to-Career Model. Langa shared his experience of how Afrika Tikkun helped him escape the jaws of poverty and propelled him to achieve his dream job as a UIF Labour Specialist.
“It is because of Afrika Tikkun that I dared to dream, and I am now well on my path to a successful life and a prosperous future,” Langa said.
Saturday Star