Keeping Lights on After School to Build Strong Foundations.

24 October 2024 marked this year’s Lights on Afterschool celebration. YeBoneers worked across YeBo sites throughout the Western Cape and Eastern Cape with activations to celebrate #LightsOnAfterSchool, joining a global movement that spotlights the vital role of After School Programmes (ASPs) in supporting children and youth.

This year’s theme was “Building Strong Foundations,” encouraging a focus on the importance of offering youth engaging activities to give them a solid foundation. Learners across the province could take part in reading, academic, and sports activities, as well as activities that teach important life skills.

At YearBeyond we recognise that in South Africa, ASPs have become a crucial pathway to youth development, creating spaces where young learners can discover their interests while youth gain the skills and competencies they need to succeed. For children, these programmes foster self-confidence and curiosity, while for youth, they offer opportunities to build resilience, leadership, and career readiness. ASPs have become essential, particularly in underserved communities, empowering young people to reach their potential and build pathways toward a bright future.

The Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, said, “It is critical that we offer youth safe spaces after school where they can be kept busy with activities that will help them succeed in the future. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of our YeBoneers and coaches as they celebrated #LightsOnAfterSchool in classrooms, sports fields, libraries, and communities across the province. We can see the difference that our After School Programmes are making.”

DCAS continues to support After School programmes to ensure that children and youth are offered opportunities to engage in various activities after school hours, while also having access to adults who provide them with safe environments to engage around various issues they may be facing.