South African National Youth Month – South African Youth remember the Soweto Riots 1976 – an awful time in our country’s history, during the apartheid era, where 700 youths were killed. South Africa is a different place today and, instead of commemorating this day with hatred and anger, South Africans have chosen to celebrate our youth for an entire month – with the meaning very clear: something like the Soweto riots should never happen again.
The focus of National Youth Month in South Africa this year is the fight against substance abuse and it’s widely accepted that one of the best ways to combat the slide into substance abuse is to provide alternative entertainment, goals and interests. So we thought we would take a look at some of the great work done and some fun things to do in Plett for the young & young at heart!
Kwanokuthula Cycling Academy & the Tour de Plett – (28 June 2014) Plett’s annual Tour de Plett MTB race is a firm favourite for avid and recreational cyclists. Organised by Plett’s Club 100, the event offers 3 different routes (85km, 55km and 20km) beginning in Wittedrift, traversing our beautiful Plett countryside and ending at Plett’s Central Beach. This year’s Tour de Plett will be donating all profits to the Kwanokuthula Cycling Academy – the goal of which is to:
- identify, coach & nurture cycling talent
- maintain strong connections with formal education
- provide an environment to combine cycling and education
- produce highly employable graduates
Plett Wedge Classic: (7-8 July 2014) Plett’s longest running bodyboarding contest is set to hit the Wedge Beach in Plettenberg Bay this July. Last year’s contest saw local disadvantaged kids having a ball as the contestants took them through the finer art of catching a wave!
Canon Donates Cameras to Nature’s Valley Trust: Young school learners from under-privileged schools in the Eastern Cape will now have the opportunity to be part of the Sustainable Seas Trust’s exciting photo-conservation Educational Programme with the help of Canon SA. The company has donated 40 Canon A2500 cameras to SST, enabling it to extend the programme to learners who can’t afford their own cameras.
Africanyon Adventures for good clean fun – there is nothing better than a “kloofing” or canyoning adventure in Plett. Africanyon Adventures is a thrilling adventure filled with climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming through a natural gorge in the Crags, just outside Plettenberg Bay.
Street Smart Plettenberg Bay Plettenberg Bay has become the latest town to join StreetSmart SA, a national fund-raising initiative for the upliftment of street children. StreetSmart SA, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the family reunification and upliftment of street children and has raised more than R7,7 million over the past nine years.
Participating restaurants raise funds through encouraging diners to add R5 to their table’s bill. The R5 donation is completely voluntary and diners can decline or add more if they wish.
Stand Up Paddling SUPing or Stand Up Paddling is a relatively new sport that is sweeping across the globe! It is an awesome adventure to explore just about any waterway, whilst getting fit and enjoying nature!