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The issue of child/youth empowerment is a critical matter to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund ®. Of particular concern is the need to allow young people to test their ideas in reality, but with the assurance of support as well as to learn to make choices. In pursuit of these ideals, the Development Committee endorsed a management proposal in year 2000, to do the following:
- Create a mechanism through which young people and children can participate in the selection of proposals that are child/youth driven (aged 12-23);
- Select a panel through a deliberately designed process taking into account fairness, transparency and competence;
- Participants would cover the ages of 15-22;
- The panel will assess, monitor and evaluate proposals, but these processes would be designed to suite the target group and would fall outside of the NMCF's usual processes and instruments;
The club structure is made up of NMCF staff, youth advisory committee, mentors and general members. Both NMCF staff and the mentors' role are to provide guidance and support to the youth advisory committee. The youth advisory committee is the main body that is responsible for the success of the club. Its responsibility includes the design and implementation of the projects and interventions. In many instances, the committee assisted NMCF on its national selection procedure to select and advice on proposals that are most suitable for the youth and children.
Sakhi Ikusasa II mandate NMCF transform from being a pure grant-making to becoming a development organisation. In line with this, Efeng Bacha has also reviewed their activities and interventions. Grant-making has been minimised, activities now includes non financial contribution to the building of communities and empowerment of the young generation. Activities include participation in youth hearings, promotion of reading among the youth, workshops, training and seminars, as well as research. The main target of the club is young people at schools, learning institutions and youth clubs around the country. In dealing with sustainability challenges at the club, members agreed that a R100 membership fee will be required to join the club.
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