BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MATSAPHA – Empowering the youth!
The Unleashed Workshop held at the Matsapha Municipality Hall on Saturday was a resounding success. It was aimed at igniting a spark of potential in the youth of Matsapha Ward One. It was also aimed at paving the way for future endeavours to empower and also uplift the community.
Another aim of the workshop was to empower the youth to unlock and unleash their full potential. The workshop was spearheaded by Counsellor Lindiwe Dlamini of Matsapha Ward One, in collaboration with DBT Marketing, The Art of Life, Gabi Dlamini, and Thamsanqa KrTC Sibandze.
Facilitator Gugu Mthimkhulu, an accredited life coach, guided the youth through stepping out of their comfort zones, navigating through fear and learning zones, and ultimately reaching their growth zones, where they find purpose and confidence.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in lively discussions, led by table captains, and participated in interactive critical thinking games, with prizes sponsored by Counsellor Lindiwe Dlamini. The event culminated in enthusiastic feedback from the youth, eager to know when the next workshop would take place, highlighting their newfound motivation and thirst for knowledge beyond the traditional school curriculum.
Counsellor Lindiwe Dlamini expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the workshop, emphasising the importance of providing opportunities for youth to excel and think outside the box. Parents also expressed their gratitude for the initiative, recognising the value it brings to their children’s development and future prospects.
The workshop focused on providing the young participants with knowledge that would set them apart and give them an advantage in various aspects of life, including personal development, academics, sports, the arts, gaming, fashion, social media, and more. With the rapid pace of change in the world, the emphasis was placed on developing a flexible and adaptable mind-set to seize opportunities and break away from out-dated patterns. Drawing inspiration from countries like Finland and Singapore, where similar programmes are integrated into school curricula, the workshop encouraged critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication among the participants.
