The Launch of the Tsantsabane Youth Collective

Earlier this week, the FETCH team visited Postmasburg for the very first Tsantsabane Youth Collective meeting, marking an important milestone in the journey to empower the young people of Tsantsabane. The meeting took place at ACVV in Postmasburg, where a diverse group of stakeholders, young people, and community organizations gathered in support of providing opportunities for the youth to thrive.

FETCH (Facilitate. Empower. Transform. Connect. Hope) is a youth-focused coaching and community-strengthening initiative developed by the DGMT. With years of research and advocacy behind it, FETCH works in close collaboration with communities, civil society organizations, and partners to create sustainable pathways for young people to unlock their full potential.

In South Africa, many young people aged 18-35 are either not in employment, education, or training (NEET), or are at risk of dropping out of existing opportunities. They face multiple social and economic barriers, such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, limited access to resources, and increased mental health risks, which hinder their ability to fully participate in society or access life-changing opportunities.

FETCH addresses these challenges through a unique combination of personalized coaching and community-based solutions, offering a holistic approach to youth empowerment.

1. Personalized Coaching: Through one-on-one sessions, FETCH coaches guide young people in identifying and pursuing personal and professional goals, providing a safe space to uncover their strengths and connect them with opportunities aligned with their aspirations.
2. Youth Collectives: FETCH brings together local service providers, community leaders, professionals, and young people to form collaborative Youth Collectives. These collectives work together to develop long-term solutions that enhance services, build stronger community networks, and provide sustainable support for youth.

Since last year, the FETCH team has been engaging with young people, service providers, and employers in Postmasburg to understand the challenges faced by local youth. Through focus groups and community dialogues, they identified critical barriers to learning and earning opportunities, such as service gaps and broader systemic social issues. With this insight, FETCH has teamed up with Tsantsabane Alcohol and Drugs Services (TADS) to create the Tsantsabane Youth Collective—an initiative designed to bring together local stakeholders to co-create solutions and strengthen the support systems available to young people.

At this week’s meeting, the Tsantsabane Youth Collective began to take shape. The session offered an opportunity for the FETCH team to share the outcomes of their research, conducted throughout last year, with attendees. The feedback session provided a platform for young people to discuss whether the research outcomes resonated with their experiences or if different perspectives and issues emerged.

A recurring theme throughout the meeting was the feeling of disempowerment among young people—many shared a sense of being robbed of opportunities, feeling uninformed, frustrated, unseen, demotivated, and powerless.

Noluthando Kwayimani, FETCH Project Manager, reflected on the plight of these young people: “When young people are in school, they are held by the education system; when they are employed, they are held by the employment system. But what about those who are not working or in school? Who is holding them?”

The session provided an opportunity to explore the root causes of these feelings, with participants discussing practical and reasonable ways to begin offering support and address these challenges.

One powerful sentiment shared by a participant, McDonald, resonated with many in attendance: “May we not leave this eager spirit here and not keep this train moving. Let us actively partake in the change we wish to see.”

The Tsantsabane Youth Collective will continue to meet regularly to discuss the barriers preventing youth from actively participating in the local economy. Future sessions will be led and facilitated by TADS, with ongoing support from the FETCH team, who will provide training and guidance to ensure long-term impact.

The Lesedi Solar Park Trust supports FETCH and TADS  as they work to equip the young people of Tsantsabane with the tools they need to thrive.

By fostering collaboration and strengthening community bonds, the Tsantsabane Youth Collective is not just a space for dialogue, but a powerful force for change, providing our young people with the support they need to unlock their potential and make their mark on the world.