Cape Town Junior City Council

Celebrating Science, Creativity & Innovation!

Today, the Junior City Council had the opportunity to join City of Cape Town Libraries and key partner Amazon at the launch of Youth Science Month!

The annual celebration shines a spotlight on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) across libraries throughout the City—encouraging young people to explore, create, experiment and imagine what’s possible.

Our Junior City Councillors also had the opportunity to engage with fellow learners who attended the launch, sharing ideas, connecting with other young people and celebrating a shared interest in learning and innovation.

For our Junior City Councillors, it was an exciting opportunity to discover how libraries are creating spaces where young minds can learn, explore and innovate.

🌍 Young Leaders, Global Opportunities!

Our Junior Executive Team recently had the opportunity to be part of the City of Cape Town’s Global Investment Positioning Campaign — an exciting step in positioning Cape Town as a globally connected city open to investment, innovation, talent and new ideas.

For our young leaders, being part of conversations like these is an opportunity to learn, connect, and gain insight into the future of our city and its place on the global stage.

Cape Town is open. Cape Town is connected. Cape Town is ready for what’s next.

Our August Newsletter Has a Fresh New Look!

Thanks to our incredible JCC Executive Team, this month's newsletter has had a revamp—and we hope you love the new look as much as we do!

July was a month filled with learning, meaningful connections and unforgettable moments, including taking in some of the City's best views from the top of Table Mountain.

There's plenty to catch up on, and we hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed being part of the sessions, activities and experiences that made it all possible.

Happy reading!

Every Learner Deserves the Chance to Succeed.

Education has the power to transform lives, yet thousands of young people across South Africa leave school before completing their education.

The Zero Dropout Campaign is working to change that by striving to halve South Africa's school dropout rate by 2030, encouraging individuals, communities and organisations to play their part in ensuring every learner has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As part of this important conversation, the Junior City Council was invited to participate in the Zero Dropout Campaign podcast. Junior City Councillors Jasmine Rouse and Waseem Dalwai were selected to represent the programme and share youth perspectives on education and the challenges facing young people today.

🎧 We're looking forward to sharing the episode with you once it's released. Stay tuned!

✨ Creating Second Chances, One Learner at a Time.

This past Saturday, Junior Councillor Shahnaz Essop officially launched her community project, Second Chances — a tutoring programme dedicated to supporting learners with Mathematics and other school subjects.

Driven by a passion for education, Shahnaz hopes to inspire young people in Mitchell's Plain to stay in school by equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and support they need to succeed. The programme also aims to encourage learners who have left school to believe in themselves and take the courageous step of returning to complete their education.

With the support of dedicated volunteer teachers and 50 learners already registered, Second Chances is already making a meaningful impact and creating opportunities for a brighter future.

Today, the Junior City Council and students from the International Study Abroad Programme joined Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews in Uitsig to honour Mandela Day through meaningful community service.

Mandela Day reminds us that creating positive change starts with each of us. Together, we continue building stronger, more caring communities, one action at a time.

"It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it." – Nelson Mandela

Three Junior City Councillors. One incredible opportunity. Endless possibilities.✨

Recently, Jnr Cllr Anzel Du Plessis, Jnr Cllr Siqhamo Malashe and Jnr Cllr Albert Griesel had the privilege of representing the Junior City Council at the AI for Africa Bootcamp hosted by the African Leadership Academy.

Over the course of the programme, they explored how artificial intelligence can be used to solve real challenges facing communities across Africa. From collaborating with other young innovators to building practical solutions and learning from leading experts, the experience challenged them to think differently and dream bigger.

The bootcamp wasn't only about technology—it was about leadership, teamwork, resilience, and discovering how innovation can create lasting impact.

We are incredibly proud of our junior councillors for embracing this opportunity and returning inspired to make a difference in their communities.

A sincere thank you to the African Leadership Academy and the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence for creating such an impactful experience and for investing in the next generation of African leaders.

From the Council Chambers to the top of Table Mountain, today was a day of learning and adventure!

Our Junior City Councillors started the morning with an engaging session alongside Alderman James Vos, who shared insights into his role as Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. Councillors gained a greater understanding of how the City works to create opportunities, strengthen the local economy, and build a thriving Cape Town for all.

The afternoon took learning beyond the classroom as councillors travelled on the MyCiTi bus to one of the world's most iconic landmarks, Table Mountain. A guided tour, a delicious lunch and breathtaking panoramic views.

Days like these remind us that leadership is about more than meetings—it's about exploring our city, understanding how it grows, and appreciating the places and people that make Cape Town extraordinary.