My name is Khadija Mayman.
I was born in 1997 and I’m the child of a community activist, Nadia Mayman. I live in Bonteheuwel, a community within Cape Flats. Here, youths are suffering, and there are a large number of school dropouts, lots of unemployed youths, and a high level of gang violence. I have always had an interest in becoming a community leader to help fight against drugs and gangs, and I am a founding member of the Bonteheuwel Youth Movement Against Violence.
Since I joined WPDI as a youth peacemaker in 2019, I have become more determined than ever to help bring transformative change to Bonteheuwel. The training I received has enhanced my leadership abilities and WPDI has helped me learn more about myself and how I can use my personal strengths and skills to empower other youths in my community. I want to be an activist for peace, change, and addressing the injustices I see.
55,5%
of South Africans live below the national poverty line
53%
of youths in South Africa (people under 24) are unemployed
100,000
people in Western Cape are actively involved in 130+ gangs
There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order for us to grow and develop as a community. We need to work to solve inequalities and injustices here in order to build a more peaceful environment in Cape Flats to present opportunities for future generations.
