​Youth from various Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) took the spotlight on Saturday at an exhibition of Independent Living Programme (ILP) projects held at Mary Moodley in Benoni’s Eastern Corridor. This event provided an inspiring platform for youth to display and sell products crafted through their ILP projects, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and independence.
The ILP program is designed to equip youth with essential life skills, enabling them to make informed choices and take charge of their future. Through a supportive yet flexible structure, ILP participants engage in activities centred on education, employment, financial management, and self-care.

Several youth entrepreneurs achieved remarkable success at the exhibition, particularly those selling fresh spinach, which proved popular among visiting officials. Each CYCC had a dedicated stall, clearly marked with its name, where youth representatives engaged with attendees, explained their work, and showcased their products.

Event coordinator Ms. Joey Nontlahla highlighted the diverse activities at the exhibition, which included services like a car wash and sneaker cleaning, along with stalls offering massages, food items, welding projects, gardening products, handmade furniture, beauty services, and more.

“The ILP fosters psychoeducational and developmental growth, equipping young people with the skills needed to transition to independent living,” Ms. Nontlahla explained. “The program empowers them to navigate their environment confidently, connect with support systems, and develop competencies that prepare them for life after institutionalization.”

A participant, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude for the initiative. “For those of us with past mistakes, finding a job can be a challenge. But through this program, we are gaining the skills and certifications to start our own businesses,” he shared.

Furniture facilitator Daniel Maswanganyi noted the impact of the ILP, which began in 2019. “We now have a significant number of graduates, many of whom have turned their skills into successful enterprises.”

The ILP exhibition highlights the resilience and determination of CYCC youth, showing how structured support and skill-building initiatives can help them forge their paths toward independence and success.