2018 Activator Ditiro Lincolin Mihi initiated a project called the Youth Empowerment Emporium (YEE) to develop and strengthen skills in young people, to enable them to become entrepreneurs and active members contributing to their communities in some way.

Ditiro (33), who hails from Maokeng in the Kroonstad district in the Free State, says he is not sitting around waiting for Government programmes to assist the youth. He wants to help build sustainable capacity and solutions-focused skills in young people, specifically so they can help launch volunteering services to aid the most vulnerable in society.

In his role as YEE Development Director, he is a Life Skills Facilitator primed to create asset-based community development. “I want youth to be empowered to take strategic initiatives to shape their own destiny – and not wait for things to be done by the Government. We must constantly search for opportunities for ourselves.”

He has already created a network of 1,000 volunteers in his community, with the support of community development workers; and in partnership with NYDA, Seda, the local municipality, SAPS, social development and various NPOs.

Challenges he has faced include communication in terms of misunderstandings; and he would like more support from community youth hubs and the community workers in the Premier’s office. Fellow Activators can assist by mobilising resources and capacity building.

Contact details:
Ditiro Lincolin Mihi
083 896 0728