Empowering Winterveldt, South African Youth

EMPOWERING WINTERVELDT, SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE  REPORT

MARCH 2026

Overview

The Bokamoso Centre began the New Year on a positive note. It continues the funding and program partnerships with the Bokamoso Youth Foundation in the US, the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health in South Africa. Sixty young people from the Winterveldt Community enrolled at the Centre for the 2026 term. They will participate in the YDP, Computer training and Life Skills. They will have an opportunity to apply for funds for tertiary education and training upon completion of the program.

Youth Development Program:

The YDP is a 10-month daily program. Sixty youth have enrolled for the 2026 term and will participate in daily educational and social/emotional development modules. The YDP beneficiaries will also participate in Life Skills and End-User computing and are working to complete the Level 3 Accredited Certificate through the DSD grant.

The YDP students joined with the Computer Skills students at a mock debate on the topic of “South Africa’s education and local government systems are failing to adequately prepare young people for employment and inclusive participation in society.” The debate was organized by the Department of Socila Development.

Department of Social Development Programs:

Bokamoso Life Centre secured multi-year funding from the Department of Social Development. Social Development programs are short term programs that are open to the community and to the YPD beneficiaries.

Computer Skills Training: Currently, the YDP beneficiaries are participating in Computer Skills Training. The Program will be open to the Community after their 8-week session.

Life Skills training: as above

Department of Health Programs:

The HTS (HIV Testing and Support) program is through the Department of Health and will be running through to March 2026.  The Centre provides services to the community to access HIV/AIDS testing and support, testing for diabetes, blood pressure and health talks.

Scholarships 2025

The Scholarship program is robust. We are supporting beneficiaries from previous years who are studying Diploma and Degree programs. Students are eligible to apply for funds for tuition, books and materials and transportation. Currently we are supporting 33 students from previous graduating classes, and 16 students from the 2025 graduating class. They are participating in a variety of programs including Security, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering and Hospitality.

Stakeholders’ involvement

We still partner with the stakeholders of previous years and will continue with beneficiaries’ workshops, information sharing and staff training. 

UNISA: Our partnership with University of South Africa (UNISA) Theatre and Literature is ongoing and provides support to beneficiaries interested in pursuing arts or drama as a career. The new YDP students are currently participating in drama and script writing activities.

We are also continuing our relationships with the following organizations and expect to have significant collaboration with the new 2026 beneficiaries: Tidimalong Aftercare Centre, Umvelinqangi Organization and I Am We Are.

Other stakeholders still in partnership with Bokamoso:

Aurum Organization (Dept of Heath)

AKA-Sosha Mens’ Forum

Wits RHI (Reproductive Health and HIV Institute)

People Against Abuse ( for Social referrals)

Shakes Academy (Accredited Computer Service Provider)

Centre Development

The Bokamoso Life Centre Board completed a training with Finance Hat to update the members regarding non-profit regulations and requirements.

Conclusion: Bokamoso will continue serve the disadvantaged community of Winterveldt, to ensure that their lives change for the better.

Respectfully submitted,

Hilda Ramokone-Manager Bokamoso Life Centre

Connie Sullivan-President Bokamoso Youth Foundation

GLOBAL GIVING

BOKAMOSO LIFE CENTRE  REPORT

NOVEMBER 2025

Overview

Bokamoso Life Centre is reaching the end of the year. We experienced challenges including lack of electricity and a daytime robbery, but the Centre is resilient and we will conclude the year on a positive note. The Centre has trained a total of 156 life skills beneficiaries and 112 Accredited L3 End-User Computing beneficiaries.  The statistics include the permanent Bokamoso beneficiaries (YDP) and youth trained on 3 monthly basis from the community.

Youth Development Program:

The YDP is a 10-month daily program. In 2025, the Centre enrolled a total of 70 beneficiaries, which was 20 over the target of 50. After the robbery about 25 beneficiaries dropped out.  We currently have 45beneficiaries graduating on the 4^th December 2025.  The YDP beneficiaries received training in Life Skills and End-User computing and are working to complete the Level 3 Accredited Certificate through the DSD grant. Beneficiaries from YDO attended a Symposium organized by I Am We Are, for Life Skills training and performed traditional and modern dance.

Department of Social Development Programs:

Bokamoso Life Centre secured funding from the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health for the financial year 2025-2026. Social development programs are short term programs that are open to the community and to the YPD beneficiaries.

Computer Skills Training:

The Centre trained a total of 112 Accredited L3 End-User Computing beneficiaries this year.  The statistics include the permanent Bokamoso beneficiaries and youth trained on 3 monthly basis from the community

They were issued Certificate of Competency in Computer Literacy, Computer Practical’s Certificate and Life Skills Certificate.

Life Skills training: The centre has trained a total of 156 life skills beneficiaries. This includes the YDP participants and the short-term beneficiaries. The youth trained in Handyman skills earlier in 2025 have successfully completed their course.  On receiving the certificates, some are employed and some have resorted to being entrepreneurs

Department of Health Programs:

The HTS (HIV Testing and Support) program is through the Department of Health and will be running through to March 2026.  The Centre provides services to the community to access HIV/AIDS testing and support, testing for diabetes, blood pressure and health talks.

Scholarships 2024

The Scholarship program is still active.  We are ensuring that continuation for beneficiaries from previous years who are studying Diploma and Degree courses respectively 2024 are paid for.

The total of  three  beneficiaries have  graduated from their respective Institutions and two are currently employed.  The beneficiaries who were trained on Security Grades EDC, are currently taking driving lessons and will be issued with driver’s licenses at the completion of training and testing by the Traffic and Licensing Department. 

There are two beneficiaries who resumed their tertiary studies in July 2025.  These beneficiaries will need Bokamoso to support them for the next three years of their studies.

Stakeholders’ involvement

We still partner with the stakeholders of previous years and will continue with beneficiaries’ workshops, information sharing and staff training.

UNISA: Our partnership with University of South Africa (UNISA) Theatre and Literature is ongoing and provides support to beneficiaries interested in pursuing arts or drama as a career.  Our Beneficiaries performed two drama shows that the youths in September 2025.

Tidimalong Aftercare Centre: Provided additional support for 15 beneficiaries to complete computer and life skills training.

Umvelinqangi Organization: They offered 5 Bokamoso beneficiaries Bursaries in 2025, and is looking forward to awarding 10 Bokamoso beneficiaries bursaries for 2026.  

I Am We Are: Invited Bokamoso to their annual Youth Symposium. Twelve YDP members attended workshops and performed. We are looking forward to working with this organization for mentoring for Monitoring and Evaluation tools.

Other stakeholders still in partnership with Bokamoso:

üAurum Organization ( Dept of Heath)

üAKA-Sosha Mens’ Forum

üWits RHI (Reproductive Health and HIV Institute)

üPeople Against Abuse ( for Social referrals)

üShakes Academy (Accredited Computer Service Provider)

Centre Development

We have successfully implemented payroll system by Finance Hat bookkeepers and review policies by the current Bokamoso Board of Directors. We acquired an unqualified Financial Audit report for the financial year 2024/2025.

Conclusion:

Bokamoso will continue serve the disadvantaged community of Winterveldt, to ensure that their lives change for the better.

Respectfully submitted,

Hilda Ramokone-Manager Bokamoso Life Centre

Connie Sullivan-President Bokamoso Youth Foundation