Gwanda District and surrounding areas are facing a mounting waste management challenge, with plastic waste and discarded cardboard boxes littering roadsides, clinics, shopping centers and public meeting spaces, including the traditional Inkundla gathering areas. These same community hubs serve as venues for the CYDT to conduct activities such as Local Governance Inkundla in Gwanda, as well as provide training for youth on leadership and participation in decision-making processes.
To mitigate the escalating waste management issue, a dedicated group of young people, inspired by CYDT’s initiatives, took part in a voluntary clean-up effort towards the end of 2024. During this campaign, they collected litter from areas where they regularly convene to discuss current events and engage in community activities within Gwanda Urban. While several participants had previously taken part in clean-up initiatives, others noted that this was their inaugural volunteering experience. This trend shows the growing momentum of the #Youth4LocalGovernment movement, as increasing numbers of young people join their peers in participating in important community processes, such as clean-up campaigns.
CYDT firmly believes that the involvement of these youths in the clean-up campaign will have a ripple effect, inspiring their peers to join the movement for local governance. The participating youth conveyed to the organization that dedicating time to a cause that resonated with them was incredibly fulfilling. All participants concurred that volunteerism among youth is essential for shaping the future of their communities, noting their willingness to collaborate with local authorities in future initiatives.
By harnessing the energy and idealism of young people, CYDT aims to cultivate a culture of volunteerism and community engagement, hence the organisation will continue to empower youth through training and motivation, encouraging them to take charge of their future and demonstrate their potential as future leaders capable of driving development initiatives.
Furthermore, CYDT hopes that initiatives like the clean-up campaign will inspire current local authorities to engage with youth and motivate them to effectively serve their people.
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