The City of Cape Town launched ‘Sinovuyu Teens’ to strengthen the adolescent resilience. On the occasion of World Family Day, city is proud to expand its award-winning Strengthening Families Programme by launching a dedicated teen support stream.
Sinovuyo Teens has been introduced to help parents and adolescents in navigating stress, conflict and communication in today’s challenging environment. The Strengthening Families Programme is an internationally recognised initiative that helped parents and children in recognizing the value of familial relationships.
Considering a period of eight weeks, the participants attended 10 sessions that covered a range of topics, including how to communicate effectively and how to deal with stress. The programme also encouraged children to dream about their future and guided them on setting goals.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the functioning families will help in building value systems and foster a sense of belonging.
City of Cape Town’s Strengthening Families Programme works with parents and children on building strong relationships and understanding that everyone has a responsibility and role in running household and creating a safe family environment.
Francine Higham further stated that they have had a very good turnout again this year. She hopes that the participants will spread the word and will encourage other families to sign up or next year. She is also very excited about the rollout of the Sinovuyo Teens programme that helps young people to navigate some of the critical challenges that come with adolescence.
During the current financial year, the Community Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD) of the City of Cape Town has implemented 24 Strengthening Families interventions, reaching 255 families.
The programmes were conducted in Kraaofontein, Atlantis, Maitland, Brooklyn, Joe Slovo, Klipheuwel, Khayelitsha, Blackheath, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Landowne, Belhar, Parow, Delft, Cafda Village, Lotus River, Ocean View and Hout Bay.
Moreover, the department ha introduced an additional social assistance programme through the Sinovuyo Teens Programme, to improve parent-teen relationships, reduce conflict and prevent risky behaviours such as substance abuse and violence.
The Sinovuyo Caring Families Programme for Parents and Teens was originally developed as part of Parenting for Lifelong Health, with a partnership between the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, as well as the Universities of Cape Town, Oxford and Clowns Without Borders South Africa.
The nine-week programme targets caregivers with teens between the ages of 10 and 17 and teaches positive parenting strategies, that helps teens develop coping and problem-solving skills and strengthens family communication. The programme also promotes non-violent discipline, stress management and community support to create a safe, nurturing home environment.
Notably, the research shows that Sinovuyo Teens reduces adolescent risk behaviours and strengthens family resilience, making it an effective programme for long-term well-being. Around forty-one officials are receiving training to assist with the implementation of the programme.