NC Social Development charts way forward for Youth Service Centres

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Social Development will host its 2025 Annual Youth Service Centre (YSC) Performance Review Session from 3 to 5 June at the Desert Palace Casino in Upington. The high-level gathering is set to become a cornerstone in the province’s efforts to enhance youth development initiatives and strengthen institutional capacity across all Youth Service Centres.

Held under the theme “Building Stronger, Relevant Youth Service Centres for Greater Impact”, this year’s review session comes at a crucial time for the department, as it enters the next phase of its five-year vision under the 7th Administration. The objective is to provide integrated, sustainable social development services that make a meaningful impact on the province’s youth.

The three-day session will bring together a wide array of participants, including Youth Service Centre staff and committee members, district officials from Community Development and Integrated Financial Management (IFM), strategic management teams, and representatives from the Finance and Information and Communication Branch (ICB). Also expected to attend are key stakeholders such as the National Department of Social Development and funding institutions like the National Lotteries Commission.

According to the department, the session will serve as an essential platform to critically assess performance across YSCs, refine operational models, and encourage collaboration among role players. It will also be the formal launchpad for the rollout of the 2025/2026 Annual Performance Plan, along with updated reporting and compliance frameworks that will guide the work of the centres over the next fiscal year.

Among the key objectives of the session are:

• Strengthening the institutional capacity and long-term sustainability of YSCs
• Enhancing the quality and reach of services offered to young people
• Reviewing programme content to ensure alignment with current social development priorities
• Providing updates on compliance regulations and financial reporting
• Encouraging innovation, partnership development, and the sharing of best practices

The performance review will include plenary discussions, presentations from various departmental units, case studies from successful YSCs, and interactive workshops aimed at building operational excellence. The department will also engage with funders to explore resource mobilisation strategies and forge new partnerships aimed at expanding the reach and effectiveness of youth programmes.

As youth unemployment and social challenges remain a significant concern in the province, the department hopes this session will energise service providers and give them the necessary frameworks and support to deliver programmes that speak directly to the realities of young people in the Northern Cape.

The review session reaffirms the Northern Cape Department of Social Development’s broader mission to uplift communities by empowering the youth, ensuring that the next generation is equipped not just to survive but to thrive.