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On 26 November 2022, 208 young men who hail from every corner of the province, graduated from the Chrysalis Academy. 

Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen also delivered the keynote address. “It was an honour to celebrate the achievement of these brave young men. The graduation is their reward for persevering and remaining committed over the last three challenging months. They can be proud of what they have accomplished. Now that they have been upskilled and empowered, they have a responsibility to continue with their personal development, while also positively assisting and influencing others in their communities.”

Minister Reagen Allen continued: “I’d like to urge the families to continue supporting these young men. They’ve made significant strides in their development. Our role as loved ones, society and government is to continue being a source of encouragement, so that they are able to thrive as individuals. Through this, we are ensuring that they play a role in creating a safer community and by extension, a safer Western Cape for all.”

The academy, which targets young people aged 18-25, has to date seen more than 10 000 graduates of their three-month development and empowerment course.

During the various phases of the course, and among others, students received training in Basic Cookery, Office Administration, Security Training, Peace Officiating, Welding, Office Administration and Electrical Circuitry. This training is complimented with some personal development and life skills subjects focusing on Personal Mastery, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Diversity and Conflict Management.

The purpose of the Chrysalis Academy is to serve as a platform for youth to deepen their resilience and unleash their potential through physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development, enabling them to be role models and agents of positive change.

According to the Head of Department of Community Safety, Advocate Yashina Pillay who also attended the 22 BRAVO closing ceremony earlier in the week “I had the honour and privilege of being part of the closing ceremony on 23 November 2022.  I felt so inspired to be amongst these amazing men who have all the makings to be the future leaders of the Province and Country.”

Following their graduation on Saturday, all 208 of them will start their 12-month work placement opportunities on Monday, 28 November 2022 at the Department of Community Safety’s various safety partners.

Graduation day for Chrysalis participants is not only a celebration of successfully completing the programme but also a new lease on life through the opportunities they have already taken hold of and those that await after graduation.
 

Issued by Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety