The Western Cape Government has launched Year Beyond, a new gap-year programme to provide opportunities for talented young people to contribute to education development in the province.

Premier Helen Zille and Ministers Debbie Schäfer (Education) and Nomafrench Mbombo (Cultural Affairs and Sport) introduced the programme on Wednesday, 10 September 2014, in collaboration with NGOs working in the education sector.

Volunteers will assist in extra-mural activities at 24 schools in 2015. They will focus mainly on supporting language, mathematics and science development through various activities, including special interest clubs of different kinds.

They will also participate in a leadership training programme offered by the Frederick van Zyl Leadership Institute at the University of Stellenbosch, which includes a leadership qualification.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could forward the attached notice to matrics and their parents, if you have this facility. The notice includes online links to further information. You can also access this information on the Western Cape Government web site at www.westerncape.gov.za/yearbeyond

Kind regards