Thousands of young South Africans leave school and enter unsafe neighbourhoods and homes with no adult supervision every day. This, when combined with a youth unemployment rate that sits above 60%, can leave people stuck in cycles of poverty. Since opening their Jabulani premises last September, Safe-Hub, a ground-breaking youth development campus, has helped 5000 people per month, break that cycle.
âSafe-Hub was built with the specific and unique needs of this community and its young people in mind. We wanted to create something that would help as many people break the grip of poverty as possible and give them a space where they can find and create opportunities for themselves,â says Lerato Rantsane, Regional Operations Manager for Safe-Hub.
Upliftment through connection:
To help Jabulani residents unlock these opportunities, Safe-Hub has joined forces with Vuma to give community members access to free, fast (1Gbps), and world-class internet connectivity.
Taylor Kwong, CSI Manager at Vuma, says, âWe believe in a world where everyone is connected and are excited to think that people across Soweto can have access to information and knowledge that empowers them to move forward. âBecause we can, we mustâ is the guiding ethos behind everything we do, so being able to partner with Safe-Hub and help them provide a safe haven where the youth has unlimited access to the internet aligns well to our values. Through this partnership we can provide a space where they can share, connect, and learn together.â
On average, South Africaâs data costs are notoriously high, with a gigabyte of data sometimes costing more than 50% than it does in the UK. Access to fast, free, and reliable internet is crucial to helping people find ways to build brighter futures for themselves.
Supporting local entrepreneurship:
One of the ways Safe-Hub is helping uplift and empower the community is by helping develop its young entrepreneurs.
Rantsane says, âWe run a business incubation programme where young people who want to start a business can apply and, if they are chosen, Safe-Hub will help provide them with all the basics needed to get their business off the ground.â
Both Walter Mohlabane and Buhle Makhubo have begun pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams thanks to this programme. Mohlabane runs a coffee shop on the premises and Safe-Hubâs support has allowed him to sharpen his skills as a barista and a business owner. In Makhuboâs case, Safe-Hub gave her the equipment, space, security, and marketing she needed to turn her passion for fashion into a business. Makhubo is a nail technician, stylist, and make-up artist.
âThis opportunity has made a massive difference in my life. Thanks to Safe-Hubâs help I have managed to improve my skills and study further. The better I have become, the more opportunities I have gotten. Now it is time to help pay it forward by helping train and mentor others like me.â
Other initiatives
Community development does not stop at connectivity and business incubators. Safe-Hub runs a variety of programmes and initiatives that include:
Homework support programmes
Womenâs health Wednesdays, a day when social workers come to the space to help counsel community members for depression and anxiety
Child minding services run by a young entrepreneur
Opportunity Monday, where participants come together to share reliable information about various work or study opportunities using the Make Your Play curriculum. This programme also empowers young people to share practical skills and helps them become employable young adults who contribute positively to society.
The Edufootball programme, Safe-Hubâs central syllabus which uses age-specific, structured play and sport activities to develop active youth with positive attitudes and a good quality of life.
Rantsane concludes, âWe ensure that we provide diverse, holistic support to participants from cradle to career. Through all our different initiatives, we believe we are helping South Africans realise the limitless potential we know they have.â
