SECTION 1: CONTEXT

 1.1 Background to unemployment epidemic in South Africa

As of my last update in January 2022, South Africa has been grappling with a persistent unemployment crisis, a multifaceted issue influenced by various socioeconomic factors. According to the country’s Labor Force Survey by Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate has been alarmingly high, especially among the youth.

Here are some statistics and insights that shed light on the unemployment epidemic in South Africa, based on data available up until January 2022:

High Unemployment Rate: South Africa’s unemployment rate had been hovering at around 32.5% in the last quarter of 2021, with some sources indicating even higher figures. This rate had seen little improvement over recent years, presenting a substantial challenge to the nation’s economy and social stability.

Youth Unemployment: One of the most concerning aspects is the disproportionately high rate of unemployment among the youth. The unemployment rate among those aged 15-24 was approximately 63% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The inability to secure employment opportunities for the younger population poses a significant risk for the country’s future growth and development.

Structural Challenges: Structural issues in the labor market, such as skills mismatches, limited job creation, and inadequate access to education and training, contribute to the persistently high unemployment rates. The economy’s structure and historical legacies of inequality continue to pose significant barriers to job creation.

Impact of the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the unemployment crisis. Lockdown measures and economic disruptions led to job losses, especially in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and informal labor, further widening the unemployment gap.

Long-term Unemployment: Many individuals face prolonged periods of unemployment, leading to a host of socio-economic challenges, including poverty, crime, and social unrest. The longer someone remains unemployed, the more challenging it becomes for them to re-enter the workforce.

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, encompassing educational reform, skills development, economic policies that stimulate job creation and social welfare programs to support those most affected. Efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and invest in education and skills development have been highlighted as critical strategies to combat unemployment.

1.2 Background to the PPDC Supporting Our youths.

The Agency Supporting Our youth PPDC is new but the founder has a rich history of involvement in education, training, and fostering a community focused on spiritual progress, impact, integrity, inclusivity, excellence, and inspiration. Here’s an overview of their involvement:

 1.3 Education and Training:

The PPDC was established with a fundamental commitment to empowering young individuals through Academic Support – Extra Lessons, Emotional Support – Counselling, Female child needs, Career guidance & Development, Coaching & Advice, mentoring, educational support, and training. These initiatives often include career guidance, after-school programs, vocational training, mentorship, and skill-building workshops, all geared toward equipping the youth with the tools and knowledge necessary for their personal and professional development.

1.4The Career Development Programme (CDP)

The Peak Performance Development Centre (PPDC) addresses the challenges faced by young individuals entering the next phase of their social, business and academic journey. The transition to the workforce/business start-up can be overwhelming, but PPDC strives to mitigate these concerns through tailored work readiness programs. Our aim is to diminish the intimidation factor and instill confidence in individuals aged 21-35 by showcasing the myriad opportunities available.

1.5 Health, fitness and wellness campaigns (HFW)

PPDC promotes every Saturday morning at Kwanele Park, rejuvenating 5.1 km run! Men and women of all ages come together to promote health, fitness, and wellness. PPDC says let’s stride towards a healthier, happier community. #WellnessSaturday #CommunityRun

 1.6. Fellowship:

Spiritual progress emphasizes holistic personal development

The PPDC strongly believes in the power of fellowship and community support. They’ve created a network that fosters a sense of belonging and support among the youth. This fellowship goes beyond mere association; it’s a platform for sharing experiences, providing guidance, and creating a supportive environment where young individuals feel empowered to explore their potential.

SECTION 2: OBJECTIVES OF THE PPDC IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

 OBJECTIVES OF Peak Performance Development Centre

The organisation’s main objectives:

The Centre encompasses a development centre (Education and training) and a fellowship, dedicated to the principles of spiritual Progress, Impact, Integrity, Inclusivity, Excellence, and Inspiration.

• Education: The primary goal of a Peak Performance Development Centre is to provide a quality education to young people. This includes academic subjects, practical skills, and the development of critical thinking.
• Career guidance, Skills/Talent/ Character Development: To organise training courses in schools, organisations, disadvantaged communities to empower the communities with Skills/Talent/ Character.
• Entrepreneurship/business coaching, Accelerated Matric rewrite and teenage girls empowerment
• Work Readiness, CV Writing, and work placement.
• Children education, Adult Education and Training (AET) and SETAs.
• Promote “Unity through Diversity” in South Africa by Organising, managing and promoting activities and/or events in Training, Coaching, productivity, mentoring, Pastoral and counselling
• Networking: To network with similar groups, government department and organisations and private organisations and persons to achieve the above objectives

B) The organisation’s secondary objectives will be to:

• Personal Development: Foster personal growth of young and adult’s people. This involves nurturing their self-esteem, confidence, creativity, and a sense of responsibility.
• Socialization: Peak Performance Development Centre plays a crucial role in socializing of young people. Peak Performance Development Centre will provide opportunities for young people to interact with peers, facilitators, and the broader community, helping them develop social skills and a sense of community.
• Character Building: often emphasize the importance of values, ethics, and character development. Peak Performance Development Centre will strive to instil qualities such as honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect for others.
• Preparation for Future: Peak Performance Development Centre will prepare young people for their future roles in society and the workforce. This involves equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in their chosen paths.
• Holistic Development: Beyond academics, Peak Performance Development Centre focuses on the holistic development of young people. This includes physical fitness, emotional well-being, and extracurricular activities that contribute to a well-rounded individual.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Peak Performance Development Centre aim to cultivate critical thinking skills, encouraging youths to analyse information, solve problems, and make informed decisions. These skills are essential for success in various aspects of life.
• Citizenship Education: Many schools in corporate citizenship education, teaching youths about their roles and responsibilities as citizens in a diverse and interconnected world. This includes promoting civic engagement and an understanding of societal issues.

SECTION 3: ENVISAGED PROCESS

3.1 Overview

The intervention will be carefully monitored and evaluated (Pilot/baseline studies have already been conducted) and recorded in order to make replicability in other areas and other agencies possible.

In order to achieve success, we have entered into a partnership with Schools who have agreed to provide Students and their facilities, churches that will provide members in need of support in any area of our speciality. The PPDC offices will be responsible for locating youths and ensuring that resources are appropriately used. Detailed reports will be provided to all stakeholders. To achieve this, PPDC will employ approximately 3 trained workers and 3 volunteers. Costs of these community workers will be covered through the PPDC funding.

However, we believe that, for the project to succeed, extensive community training is needed in the form of intensive interventions with professionals from the following fields:

• educators;
• religious community leadership (clerical and lay);
• health professionals;
• social workers;
• District government officials in other categories.

It is for this work that we are seeking support from [Foundation] as we are aware that your emphasis is on education and training.

Training, which will involve both theoretical and practical work, will be made specific to each group, but, in general, will cover:

• Identifying schools needs especially those that underperform in Matric Results;
• Identifying unemployed youth in the churches and communities;
• Counselling, career guidance;
• Providing support to households headed by teenagers;
• Setting up and running projects/businesses.

Project 1. Youth Accelerator Programme (YAP)

SPECIAL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE PROJECT

Intellectually gifted learners at Schools should perform academically at their peak. This can only be achieved through the learner’s holistic support. With holistic support from PPDC, we aim to produce future Medical Doctors, Accountants, Engineers, IT Specialists, Researchers,   programmers, etc. (Attached is detailed Project) Schools have agreed to provide learners during the week for career guidance, coaching and mentoring and health checks.

Project 2. The Kwanele Park Run

PPDC promotes every Saturday morning at Kwanele Park, rejuvenating 5.1 km run! Men and women of all ages come together to promote health, fitness, and wellness. PPDC says let’s stride towards a healthier, happier community. #WellnessSaturday #CommunityRun

 Project 3. The Career/Business Development Programme (CDP)

• Business readiness training
• Work Readiness Training and work placement

Each group will consist of a minimum of 15 participants and a maximum of 30. The intention, therefore, is to reach between 150 and 300 youths. Because of the importance of involving both men and women in this work, we will aim to have 50% of the participants from each gender group.

Training will be conducted by skilled and experienced workers based on materials developed by project experts.

3.2 Outputs

The planned outputs for the three-year period are as follows:

• Improvement in Matric Results, learners receive career guidance etc
• Youths trained and work placements
• Start up business

 SECTIONS 4: CONCLUSION

In summary:

• We are requesting support for PPDC Projects
• Career guidance, coaching, mentoring our young people will reduce drop out, failure, early pregnancy in schools
• This project is specifically aimed at ensuring that every unemployed youth has the support required to fulfil his/her potential.
• This project is specifically aimed at ensuring that every Student has the support required to pass Matric and fulfil his/her potential.
• We believe that the context in which we are operating makes such a project an imperative. Our intention is to pilot the project in schools and churches.
• The emphasis on community-based projects makes it likely that the project will be sustainable.