By Sbongile Sokela
The participants from the National Youth Service (NYS) and Bacha Ba Dichaba Explorers gathered for a closing ceremony on 7 February 2026 at TshepoThemba Multipurpose Center. The event marked the end of a six-month programme that supported young people with skills development and monthly stipends. While the day was meant to celebrate their journey, it also brought strong emotions as many youths reflected on what comes next.
For many participants, the programme provided more than just training. It offered financial support that helped them take care of their basic needs and support their families. As the programme came to an end, some young people shared their fears about returning to unemployment. One participant said, “I cannot imagine my life without an income now. I was a breadwinner for a couple of months, now I am back to depression.” This shows how deeply the programme affected their lives and how hard it is to face uncertainty again.
Other participants said they are determined to look for jobs and continue pushing forward. However, fear remains high because of the high unemployment rate in South Africa. Many young people worry that finding work will not be easy, even after gaining new skills such as teamwork and experience through the programme. The reality of limited job opportunities makes the future feel uncertain for many of them.
Despite these worries, the closing ceremony was filled with joy and celebration. The youth sang, danced, shared drinks, and enjoyed good food together. It was a moment to celebrate their friendships, dedication and growth over the past six months. The Bacha Ba Dichaba Explorers also acknowledged the Ekurhuleni and their journalists with an prestigious award for always showing and believing in the good work done in communities and especially supporting them all the time when needed.
Ms Janap Biemba” the 100% Foundation CSI Manager attended the celebration and encouraged young people to be business minded while they are still looking for jobs and emphasized that they should also consider volunteering in community projects.
