Unique initiative launched to prevent young boys from joining gangs in Hanover Park
The project aims to provide support to a group of one hundred young boys from the area who are at risk of being recruited by gangs.
FILE: People stand around in between the "courts" of blocks of flats in Hanover Park, an impoverished and gang-ridden suburb, about 15km from the centre of Cape Town. Picture: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
CAPE TOWN - Non-governmental organisation, The Community Foundation, is set to launch a unique initiative in Hanover Park on Saturday to prevent young boys from joining gangs.
The project aims to provide support to a group of 100 young boys from the area who are at risk of being recruited by gangs.
Founder of the project, Yaseen Yohaar, said the initiative, which is titled "The first 100" aims to reduce gender-based violence, disrupt gang recruitment and create a lasting impact in the community.
"The programme is designed to equip these young men with the tools to make informed decisions, while still promoting emotional balance and physical well-being," said Yohaar.
Hanover Park community health centre doctor, Neil David, who is part of the initiative, said that gangsterism often made it difficult to provide healthcare in the area.
"The pathology that we deal with, whatever aspect of the pathology we deal with, we can trace it back ultimately to this root culture of boys becoming dysfunctional in the community by joining gangs," said David.
The first 20 boys will be inducted when the project is launched in Hanover Park.