Mhinti Pato is uplifting the youth of Imizamo Yethu township in Hout Bay, through the Sakhisizwe Youth Development Programme (YDP). The programme aims to ensure that young people (from grade seven up to university students) stay in school and graduate while being prepared to succeed in their next phase of life.
“Sakhisizwe YDP is an extension of Ikhaya le Themba, a project I’ve worked for eight years as a community worker. In 2012, Ikhaya le Themba decided that they only wanted to focus on kids from grade one to grade six. I saw all these young people growing up and then I had to let them go after grade six. I received mentorship to start running an after-school programme for the older kids offering homework help, extra-curricular activities, and camps,” said Pato.
Ikhaya decided to formalise the youth programme and Sakhiszwe YDP was born, with Pato at the helm. The programme provides a place where young people can learn practical life skills through sport, academics, creativity, spirituality, and through their mentee-mentor relationships who help them with their education and provide structure and discipline they may lack at home, but an appealing, constructive, fun alternative to hanging out on the streets.
According to Pato, “The word “sakhisizwe” means “we are building”, therefore it is crucial that we invest in our next generation because they are our future leaders. I get inspired when I see some of the kids I’ve worked with since they were in grade one. Some of them are now finishing grade 12, some are studying further at college, and others are already working”. Her mission is to develop and empower young people holistically with life skills that will help them to make wise decisions.
She believes they are not just “running a programme” but really building lifelong relationships with the youth. For instance, a number of Sakhisizwe YDP ex-students are still involved in the programme as volunteers. On the other hand, Pato also has her own tourism business and has managed to get funding for some of the youth to be uplifted and trained as tour guides so that they can earn an extra income as tour guides.
