The Chrysalis Academy in Constantia, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has enrolled 95 students into its first male course since the start of lockdown.
The academy is a provincial government youth-development project that runs a three-month residential programme for 18 to 25-year-olds. It was founded in 2 000 and is open to youth who have at least Grade 9, no criminal record and live in the Western Cape.
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz said he would be in regular contact with Chrysalis’s CEO, Dr Lucille Meyer to monitor the students’ progress during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I welcome the return of students to Chrysalis Academy as our young people have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.
“Food insecurity, gender-based violence, unemployment, are but some of the challenges experienced by our young people. I am pleased that these young people will now be productively engaged for the next 10-weeks.”
The new students underwent Covid-19 screening and sanitising.
The 10-week programme will commence with Covid-19 training.
It also includes training in emotional intelligence and leadership, among other things.
Students complete one-week of outdoor training, four-weeks of skills training that will in-
clude some completing the peace officers course run by the City’s Metropolitan Police Academy, and two-weeks of preparation for the world of
work. They will graduate on September 18 and commence a one-year internship organised by the Department of Community Safety.
Mr Fritz said more than 10 000 young people had gone through the programme since it started in 2000.
Visit www.chrysalisacademy.org.za for more information.