CoCT welcomes the Junior City Council Class of 2026 after record applications
Fifty learners from schools across Cape Town were welcomed as the Junior City Council Class of 2026 during an orientation event on March 7.
Image: Supplied
The City of Cape Town has welcomed the Junior City Council Class of 2026 after a record 929 applications were received for the youth leadership programme.
Fifty learners from schools across the metro were officially introduced as the new Junior City Councillors during an orientation day attended by parents and participants on Saturday, March 7.
The one-year programme gives young people insight into how local government works and aims to develop leadership skills while encouraging civic participation.
According to the City, the Junior City Council is the only programme of its kind run by a municipality in South Africa.
Councillor Nicole Sukers, newly appointed co-custodian of the programme, said she looked forward to working with the participants.
“As a newly appointed co-custodian, I look forward to being involved in a programme that will not only inspire, but will allow me to assist and engage with Cape Town’s future leaders. Every young person needs a start in understanding the political environment and hopefully it creates the opportunity for more young people to be actively involved in the political sphere,” she said.
Co-custodian Councillor Nicola Jowell said the strong response to the programme reflected growing interest among young people in leadership and civic participation.
“Being selected as one of the 50 Junior City Councillors from nearly 1 000 applicants is an outstanding achievement. What stood out during the orientation was the enthusiasm and willingness of these young people to step forward and get involved,” she said.
“The Junior City Council is a powerful example of active citizenship, and we look forward to supporting this cohort as they learn about local government, develop their leadership skills and build lasting connections with one another over what promises to be an exciting and packed programme for the year ahead.”
The councillors also acknowledged the work of Councillor Donovan Nelson, who played a key role in strengthening and expanding the Junior City Council programme and its curriculum in recent years.
The newly selected Junior City Councillors will now begin the year-long programme aimed at equipping young leaders with knowledge of municipal governance and encouraging them to take an active role in their communities.