South Africa

Neighborhood Regeneration

98.6%

of youth surveyed in the Cape Flats reported witnessing violence in their community

55.5%

of South Africans live below the national poverty line

41.6%

of youths in South Africa (people under 24) are unemployed

South Africa, the second-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, grapples with persistent challenges stemming from historical inequalities, high rates of poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.Thirty years after the end of the Apartheid regime, many South Africans experience social exclusion and violence,an enduring obstacle to their country’s success. These issues are exacerbated and contribute to significant levels of violence, particularly in urban areas like Cape Town’s Cape Flats, known for its gang violence and high crime rates.

Education: Challenges include access disparities and quality issues, a lasting impact from the country’s systemic discrimination

Gender Inequality: High prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and early marriages.

Youth Issues: Many youths are NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and are vulnerable to involvement in gangs and criminal activities. A youth unemployment rate of 62.4% for those aged 15-24

Peace and Security: Cape Town’s Cape Flats faces severe violence issues, with rising murder rates and entrenched gang activity contributing to community instability.

WPDI’s Initiatives

• Youth Peacemaker Network: Equips young South Africans with leadership, mediation, and entrepreneurship skills to drive community-based peacebuilding efforts.
• Community Dialogue Initiatives: Facilitates discussions on peacebuilding and social cohesion, providing platforms for collaborative problem-solving and community engagement.
• Community Learning Centers (CLCs): Provides essential resources such as free Internet, library services, and vocational courses in Conflict Resolution Education, ICT, and Business & Entrepreneurship at hubs like the CLC in Athlone.
• Business Bootcamp: Supports youth-led small businesses to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
• Trauma Healing and Mental Health Programs: Addresses the psychological impact of violence and trauma through counseling, support groups, and workshops, promoting mental wellbeing and resilience.
• Health and Wellbeing Workshops: Educates communities on health-related issues and promotes access to healthcare services.
• Peace Through Sports: Partners with NBA Africa to organize community tournaments and clinics that bring together youth from across the Cape Flats, using basketball as a platform to foster teamwork, discipline, inclusion, and peacebuilding.

View our 2024 South Africa report