Date: 11/02/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Chrysalis Academy


EXTRACT FROM REMARKS BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK ADDRESSING NEW STUDENTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE CHRYSALIS ACADEMY, Cape Town, 11 February 2003

One of the firm commitments of our Western Cape Provincial Government is to break new ground in terms of social delivery and the building of stronger communities. It is our belief that we have a unique opportunity in the Western Cape, to act as a testing-ground for new ideas and programmes with the potential to be applied in other parts of our country and our region. Amongst the most successful provincial initiatives dealing with the youth of the Western Cape has been the Chrysalis Academy - whose 12-week residential programmes to empower 'youth at risk' continue to expand and succeed.

Since opening in June 2000, more than 1260 young people have graduated from the fourteen courses, which have been offered. Perhaps most importantly, more than half of these graduates have since found employment.

Our Provincial Government is determined to provide every possible opportunity for the youth of the Western Cape to make a success of their lives and to positively contribute to our communities. Our continued support for the Chrysalis Academy is based on our belief that circumstances, environment, and even past mistakes can be overcome, and that the only boundary on the dreams of the young men and women of the Western Cape must be the limits of their own ambitions.

Part of the success of the Chrysalis model has been the creation of partnerships with private enterprise. Currently the Pubic-Private-Partnerships at the Academy include:

* Kagiso Khulani who operate a training kitchen on the premises. Ten students per course receive specialist training as chef assistants and almost 100% of these students have been employed following their graduation;

* Using graduates of the programme, Zaff Tailoring produces clothing for the Academy, teaching and also tendering for external contracts - the most recent success in this regard being the manufacture of possession bags for the SAPS; and

* Red Watch Fire Training, leaders in maritime fire fighting, operate from the Academy grounds and provide heavily subsidised basic fire training to all students, with advanced training to group and junior leaders. Chrysalis students have already assisted in four major disasters - including 2 shipwrecks, fires on Table Mountain, and the 2001 winter floods.

Apart from the exceptional value of the programme to the students who participate, and to the City of Cape Town and the communities of the Western Cape, we are also particularly proud of the attention and appreciation the programme has received from other parts of South Africa and the world. After having recently hosted 15 students from the Free State, that province in now in the process of reproducing the project - as is the State Government of Indiana, in the United States, following a recent visit by a delegation to the Western Cape.

With a growing number of young people in the Western Cape becoming involved in gangs and criminal operations, and with the collapse in many communities of the positive influences of family life and strong community role-models, programmes like Chrysalis fill a very important gap in providing life skills, self-esteem, and hope to the students fortunate enough to be part of this project.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
11 February 2003