Western Cape youth urged to seize Year Beyond opportunities

Young people across the Western Cape are being urged to apply for the YearBeyond Programme, as the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) launches its annual #SayYeBo recruitment drive.

In a media release on Thursday, Ricardo Mackenzie, the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, said the programme is aimed at giving unemployed youth meaningful work experience while helping to address youth unemployment in the province.

YearBeyond is a youth-in-service partnership between government, the National Youth Development Agency, donors and non-governmental organisations. Although initiated in the Western Cape, it has since grown into a national programme.

It targets unemployed young people between the ages of 18 and 25, offering them a year of structured service combined with skills development and pathways into further study or employment.

The #SayYeBo recruitment campaign runs from January 7 to 13 February 2026 and invites young people to apply to become “YeBoneers” — participants placed in education and community-based programmes that respond to real needs in local communities.

These placements include learner support in schools, early childhood development, libraries and reading initiatives, youth wellbeing and social-emotional learning programmes, play-based activities and broader social cohesion projects.

Mackenzie said the programme is designed to give young people practical options at a critical stage of their lives.

“Through the YearBeyond programme, we are creating meaningful pathways for young people who may be uncertain about their next steps.

The programme provides an opportunity to gain a year’s practical experience, improve their CV and gain important skills which will help them to access future employment opportunities as employees or employers. We want to offer our youth this hand up to help them take the next steps towards becoming independent, thriving adults,” he said.

He added that programmes such as YearBeyond can play a crucial role in steering young people away from crime and social exclusion.

“Programmes like this give young people options. Without this, many young people might land up in gangs or on the street. I’m proud of this programme in that it provides a pathway to independence and employment,” Mackenzie said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde echoed these sentiments, describing YearBeyond as an investment in the province’s future.

“It is part of our responsibility to give young people the best possible chance to succeed in life — empowering them to uplift their families and make meaningful contributions to their communities. YearBeyond is a vital investment in the potential of our youth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to get jobs and to thrive and play an active role in our economy,” Winde said.

Young people interested in applying are encouraged to create or update their profiles on the SAYouth.mobi platform, ensure their address details are correct, and search for YearBeyond opportunities available in their municipalities. Applications close on February 13, 2026.

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Cape Argus