Author: Puluko Graham Nkiwane

On behalf of Diepsloot Youth Arts and Culture Projects, we extend our deepest appreciation for your generous donation of ICT equipment to our initiative. Your contribution is not only a gesture of goodwill—it is a powerful investment in the future of our youth and the broader Diepsloot community.

As an organization committed to the long-term empowerment, development, and transformation of young people in Diepsloot and surrounding areas, we face daily challenges that stem from systemic poverty, unemployment, limited access to quality education, and social instability. The ICT equipment you have provided will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver critical digital literacy training, creative arts programs, and entrepreneurial development initiatives that address these challenges head-on.

Your support directly aligns with our mission to offer holistic, integrated programs that equip young people with the tools, life skills, and leadership training they need to break cycles of poverty and become active contributors to society. From coding and graphic design to video production and research, this equipment will open doors to knowledge, opportunity, and innovation for many who might otherwise be left behind.

Most importantly, your donation helps us create safe, constructive, and inspiring spaces where young people can discover their talents, build confidence, and develop a sense of purpose. With every skill learned and every dream nurtured, we get one step closer to realizing a future where youth are not defined by their circumstances, but by their potential, resilience, and leadership.

We are incredibly grateful to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for recognizing the importance of youth development and for choosing to walk this journey with us. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more equitable, skilled, and empowered generation of South Africans.

With sincere gratitude and hope,

Puluko Nkiwane | Chief Marketing Royalty

1. Young People in Diepsloot (Ages 10-30)
   The core beneficiaries of the Diepsloot Youth Project (DYP) are young people between the ages of 10 and 30 living in the Diepsloot community. These individuals often face challenges such as lack of access to quality education, high unemployment rates, and socio-economic hardships. The DYP focuses on providing educational support, skills development, leadership training, and career pathways to empower these youth and help them build brighter futures.
2. School-Aged Children (Ages 10-18)
   This group includes learners who are still in primary and secondary school. DYP provides academic support through tutoring, study skills workshops, and after-school programs that improve their learning outcomes. The goal is to ensure these students succeed academically and gain the confidence and skills needed to transition successfully into adulthood.
3. Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
   Young adults in this age range are at a critical point in their lives, often facing the challenge of finding employment or pursuing further education. DYP works with this group to provide vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, career guidance, and life skills to help them achieve financial independence and take on leadership roles within the community.
4. At-Risk Youth
   The at-risk youth group includes young people who may be exposed to substance abuse, violence, or crime. These individuals are given specialized support through mentorship programs, life skills training, and participation in sports and arts activities, offering positive alternatives to risky behavior and giving them a sense of purpose and belonging.
5. Young Women and Girls
   DYP places a strong emphasis on empowering young women and girls, recognizing the unique challenges they face in terms of gender inequality, safety, and limited opportunities. Programs targeting this group include leadership development, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness education, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to achieve their goals and become leaders in their communities.
6. Families and Local Communities
   The families and local community are also key beneficiaries, as DYP’s programs aim to create a supportive ecosystem that benefits not only the youth but also those around them. Family engagement is promoted through workshops and activities that foster better relationships, social responsibility, and active participation in community-building efforts.
7. Local Schools and Educators
   DYP partners with local schools to provide supplementary education programs, extracurricular activities, and teacher development workshops to improve the educational environment. This collaboration strengthens the overall support system for youth and enhances their chances for academic and personal success.

The purpose of the Diepsloot Youth Project is to uplift and empower young people in the Diepsloot community by addressing the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. DYP exists to create a safe, nurturing, and opportunity-rich environment where youth can develop the knowledge, skills, and values they need to transform their lives and their community.

By providing access to education, mentorship, life skills, and leadership opportunities, DYP aims to build a generation of resilient, self-reliant, and socially responsible young people who can overcome adversity and contribute meaningfully to a more just and equitable society.

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Goals

1. Improve Access to Education
   Provide academic support, digital literacy, and resources to help learners succeed in school and beyond, including achieving a 100% matric pass rate.
2. Develop Skills for Employment and Entrepreneurship
   Equip youth with technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills that enhance employability and support economic independence.
3. Foster Personal and Social Development
   Promote self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and positive decision-making through life skills, mentorship, and leadership programs.
4. Encourage Healthy and Active Lifestyles
   Use sports, arts, and wellness programs to keep youth engaged, healthy, and away from harmful influences like drugs and crime.
5. Promote Civic Engagement and Youth Leadership
   Cultivate young leaders who actively participate in local governance and drive community-led development and advocacy efforts.
6. Strengthen Community Collaboration
   Partner with schools, families, businesses, and government to create a sustainable support system for youth development in Diepsloot.

Core Values

1. Empowerment
   We believe in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to take control of their lives and make meaningful contributions to society. We create environments that foster personal growth and leadership.
2. Integrity
   We are committed to honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all that we do. Our actions reflect our words, and we uphold the highest standards of accountability to our community and partners.
3. Respect
   We treat every individual with dignity, regardless of age, gender, background, or circumstance. We promote respect for self, others, and the community, and we strive to build relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.
4. Inclusivity
   We are dedicated to creating programs and spaces where all youth feel welcomed, valued, and heard. We embrace diversity and actively work to remove barriers to participation and opportunity.
5. Community
   We believe lasting change begins at the community level. We foster a culture of collaboration, shared responsibility, and local ownership to strengthen Diepsloot and uplift its residents.
6. Excellence
   We pursue quality in everything we do. From program delivery to organizational management, we aim for continuous improvement and measurable impact in the lives of the youth we serve.
7. Innovation
   We embrace creativity and forward-thinking solutions to address complex social challenges. By staying adaptable and open to new ideas, we ensure our programs remain relevant and effective.

The Diepsloot Youth Project envisions a vibrant, inclusive, and empowered community where every young person has the opportunity, support, and resources to lead a life of purpose, dignity, and contribution. We aspire to see a Diepsloot where youth are not defined by their challenges, but by their resilience, creativity, and leadership.

Our vision is a future in which all young people—regardless of their socio-economic background—can access quality education, acquire meaningful skills, and participate actively in the social, economic, and civic life of their communities. We imagine a generation of confident, capable youth who break the cycle of poverty, create opportunities for themselves and others, and become positive role models in society.

Through sustained investment in youth development, strong community partnerships, and inclusive programming, DYP aims to be a catalyst for transformation—nurturing responsible citizens, ethical leaders, and agents of change who build stronger families, communities, and ultimately, a more just and equitable South Africa.

The Diepsloot Youth Project is committed to the long-term empowerment, development, and transformation of young people living in the Diepsloot township and surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide holistic support through integrated programs that address the most pressing challenges faced by youth in marginalized communities—such as poor access to education, unemployment, poverty, crime, and substance abuse.

At the heart of our work is the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. We aim to unlock this potential by offering practical tools, life skills, mentorship, and leadership training that prepare youth not only for employment and entrepreneurship but also for responsible citizenship.

Through targeted initiatives in education, digital literacy, vocational skills, sports, arts, and mental wellness, we create safe and constructive spaces where youth can grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Our programs are designed to instill confidence, build character, and promote positive values such as accountability, respect, integrity, and community service.

By engaging local stakeholders, schools, families, and government partners, DYP fosters a sense of collective responsibility and encourages young people to become agents of change—empowered not only to improve their own lives but to uplift their communities and contribute meaningfully to the development of South Africa.

The Diepsloot Youth Project (DYP) was founded in 2005 by Neftaly Malatjie, who was just 14 years old at the time. Initially launched as Diepsloot Youth Arts and Culture, the organization began as a grassroots initiative focused on using performing arts—including drama, music, and dance—as a platform for youth expression, creativity, and social dialogue within the underserved community of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, South Africa.

As Neftaly and his peers worked more closely with local youth, they began to see that the challenges facing young people extended far beyond the need for creative expression. Issues such as poverty, limited access to quality education, unemployment, substance abuse, and a lack of positive role models were deeply entrenched in the community. Responding to these broader socio-economic challenges, the organization evolved into a more holistic development platform.

Over time, DYP expanded its programming to include:

• Educational support, including homework clubs and study skills training.
• Skills development through accredited computer literacy courses and vocational training.
• Youth mentorship and leadership development to cultivate responsible, community-oriented individuals.
• Entrepreneurship training, aimed at fostering economic independence and innovation among young people.
• After-school programs in sports, arts, and culture to promote holistic youth development.
• Health and wellness education, including drug awareness and mental health support.

DYP also built strategic partnerships with schools, government departments, local businesses, and NGOs to amplify its impact and reach more youth. The organization became a beacon of hope for thousands of young people in Diepsloot, many of whom have gone on to further their education, secure employment, or become mentors and leaders themselves.

Today, DYP is recognized both locally and internationally as a model for youth-led community development. Its founder, Neftaly Malatjie, has been celebrated for his visionary leadership and continues to advocate for youth empowerment across South Africa and beyond.