Isithumba Community Development Movement (ICDM), aims to uplift and better the lives of youths from disadvantaged communities around the Valley of a Thousands Hills. In the month famously known as the Youth Month, the 16th of June marked the 40th year anniversary since the Sharpeville march of 1976 where the youth embarked on strike for equal education for all. This month ICDM focused on programmes that are aimed at in stimulating the minds and equipping them with skills that will help shape their future.
To celebrate the 16th of June, ICDM hosted a soccer tournament and invited all teams from around KwaXimba. ICDM takes this opportunity to congratulate Sthumba City FC for winning the tournament and also to extend thanks to all the participants and spectators who came out in large numbers despite the cold and windy weather. Most importantly ICDM would like to thank the Department of Sport and Recreation (provincial structure) for their support in making this day a success. This year’s June soccer tournament also featured ladies soccer for the first time and it therefore fulfilled our object for sport inclusion for all genders.
In the spirit of June 16th, and equipping youths with necessary skills that will help their families and communities, ICDM hosted a workshop on the 27th of June in partnership with Heart4More Foundation from the United Kingdom, again with the support of the Department of Sports and Recreation of the Ethekweni Municipality. The workshop included education about health; the importance of the healthiness of the heart, fitness, diet, first aid, and sports, mainly soccer and netball. The workshop was attended by youths from both the primary and high schools from KwaXimba and its surroundings and also from the organisation we work closely with; Siyanqoba Peer Education. Not only was the workshop about healthy living but also there were great performances from Siyanqoba youths. Thanks to the Heart4More Foundation and Department of Sports and Recreation from the Municipality Office - now our youth will have knowledge about their health and they will also receive a First Aid Level 1 certificate.
This June the ICDM welcomed Laura from Germany who will be volunteering with us for one month. Laura will assist us with administration and also sporting activities. The youth fell in love with her bubbly personality and she is very good with the kids.
ICDM have also taken some of our youth to the Provincial Indigenous Games organized by the Department of Sports and Recreation (provincial structure) through Khethiwe Mhlongo. We are really thrilled to see our youth compete on regional level which will become soon provincial and national. This also serves as part of our Schools Sports Development Program (Schools Athletics). There is no greater feeling than seeing youth that we have trained for the past 7 years compete and winning in regional events.
We would also like to thank BMW Berlin and Christian (our previous volunteer and a leader) for the contribution in the continuation of running out programs. And not forgetting to thank our sincere friend Oliver for donating clothes which he collected in his home town of Bremerhaven - we appreciate the continuous support. All attention is now turning towards the 6th of August when we will be hosting the Cross Country Marathon for the second time. This has now become an ICDM annual event since we hosted a very successful event last year.
Since we selected the youth committee at the ICDM, we can see the youths’ interest in our programs grow. We intend to introduce new exciting activities with the help of our short term volunteers and the youth committee.
ICDM We are the future!!
