DUDUZA – The Nigel Caring Community Centre in Duduza was transformed into a hub of hope and motivation on June 16, as Healing Lives NPO hosted an uplifting Youth Day event under the theme “Be Inspired to Dream Again.”
With the aim of reigniting passion and purpose in high school learners facing daily hardships, the initiative brought together speakers, mentors, and community partners to remind young people that their dreams still matter.
“The event was a strategic intervention aimed at changing lives. Its purpose was to reawaken dreams, restore confidence, and equip young people with the tools to navigate their futures,” said Sibusiso Radebe, chairperson of Healing Lives NPO.
“In a world where township youth often grow up surrounded by poverty, violence, and hopelessness, the gathering served as a reminder that no dream is too big, and no background too limiting.”
Duduza and surrounding communities were specifically chosen for the event due to the unique challenges many learners face, including unstable home environments and a lack of guidance or role models.
The learners received delicious meals on the day. Photo cred: Sibusiso Radebe
“These struggles often lead to disillusionment, school dropouts, or poor career choices. Healing Lives NPO targeted this group to plant seeds of transformation in an area where dreams are too often deferred or dismissed,” Radebe said.
The event welcomed learners from Grade 10 to 12, many from charitable homes or disadvantaged backgrounds. Radebe noted that these young people are at a crucial point in their lives, where decisions about education, identity, and career paths begin to take shape.
The day’s programme was designed not just to inform, but to inspire bold decisions rooted in self-belief. Learners took part in dynamic sessions focused on self-worth, resilience, and goal-setting.
A career personality quiz helped them align their interests with possible career paths, encouraging self-awareness and intentional planning.
A panel of professionals—including IT specialists, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, artists, and a PhD graduate—shared personal stories of perseverance and success.
Grade Ten and 12 learners attended the insightful career expo. Photo cred: Sibusiso Radebe.
Each speaker emphasised the importance of determination, education, and hard work, showing learners that success is possible regardless of where you start.
Practical guidance was also a key focus. Sessions included how to calculate APS scores, how to choose subjects strategically, effective study techniques, options after matric such as TVET colleges and universities, and information on applying for financial aid.
Learners’ contact details were collected so they could receive digital copies of the information shared, ensuring they had ongoing access to valuable tools for decision-making. In a moving moment, Radebe shared a story about a young deaf boy who entered a mountain race.
“Despite being mocked and seeing experienced runners drop out, the boy made it to the top—not because he was the fastest, but because he could not hear the discouraging voices. The message was clear: sometimes, you reach your goals because you are deaf to doubt,” he said.
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Radebe also urged learners to examine the company they keep:
“If the people around you do not inspire you, you do not have a circle, you have a cage. Choose your friends wisely. If you want something, get up and go get it.”
The day ended on a joyful note, thanks to generous support from Carnival Mall restaurants Spur, RocoMamas, and Panarottis, who provided a hearty meal for the learners.
“It was more than just a meal, it was a gesture of love and affirmation—a way to let the youth know they matter,” Radebe said.
The Be Inspired to Dream Again initiative was far more than a Youth Day celebration. It was a pivotal moment for many young people in Duduza—a day when their dreams were acknowledged, their spirits lifted, and their futures reimagined.
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