Valued Citizens Initiative

Valued Citizens Initiative As a multidisciplinary team, we walk a journey with young people and provide essential Soft Skills & Social Justice programmes to develop Valued Citizens!

Established in 2001, Valued Citizens Initiative is a South African Non-Profit Organisation that aims to connect, inspire and empower learners, educators, school management teams, parents and social work professionals to become Valued Citizens contributing towards the South African economy. Valued Citizens Initiative facilitates critical soft skills programmes in the Free State, Limpopo, Gauteng, N

orth West, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces that promote citizenship education, leadership skills, and self-development. These programmes are coordinated by a multidisciplinary professional team that enhances the ecosystem of a child through accredited professional development courses and the enhancement of parenting skills to strengthen families. Furthermore, we develop accountable young leaders and Valued Citizens to support our democracy and increase youth employability.

When Sondela Visual Art Process starts, young people do more than making art, they make their voices visible...Through...
03/09/2026

When Sondela Visual Art Process starts, young people do more than making art, they make their voices visible...

Through dialogue, our learners from Udumo Secondary school and Mathubesizwe High School explored the issues that shape their lives, communities and futures while deepening their understanding of our history at the Luthuli Museum. This year, they translated their dialogues into visual art, turning ideas and words that are often difficult to express into something we can see, feel and engage with.

From the first brushstroke defining their background to the final composition, the process belongs to them. Excited, they learned together with South African artists Stompie Selibe, Zama Dunywa and a young voice Zanele Mthembu to plan carefully the creation of their "masterpiece" as said Asanda.

They discovered the meaning of colours and chose them carefully to carry their thoughts.
They realised that everything in life requires a plan of action and adaptability, as colours blend, new lines and perspectives are created. With an open mind, in pairs they became sponge absorbing knowledge and skills, they set earth and its butterflies, trees, roads and human beings safely on their background. This process let their emotions flow while discovering how painting is a moment for self to find peace.

Together, we observe. We learn and create. We amplify. We Sondela!

Thanks to Secours populaire and Secours Populaire Indre-et-Loire - Department Of Justice And Constitutional
Department Of Basic Education SA
KZNDOE

Department of Sport, Arts and Culture


As the founder of Valued Citizens Initiative, Ifirst encountered the Luthuli Museum in 2019 upon leaving Guzana Secondar...
30/08/2026

As the founder of Valued Citizens Initiative, Ifirst encountered the Luthuli Museum in 2019 upon leaving Guzana Secondary School in KwaDukuza. I deeply value through the years, the experiences gained through our Sondela Open Dialogue programme and art exhibition we led together at this historical site. The museum's setting, nestled amidst lush greenery and the sounds of birds, evokes a sense of freedom.
During the Apartheid era, the Luthuli family ingeniously used art, literature, music, and cultural artifacts as subversive instruments to circumvent the state censorship and convey messages of non-violent resistance. Given that Chief Albert Luthuli, then President-General of the African National Congress, was subjected to severe banning orders and house arrest, his public voice was legally suppressed. In response, his father, siblings, and close circle utilised music and visual art as a means of expression. Yesterday, we were honored to host Ms. Veli Luthuli, who graciously shared her insights and humility as she observed our visual art process amongst our learners reminding us that indeed art and visual art bring peace within while conveying messages to communties and society at large through the observation and creativity of our grade 11 learners from Udumo Secondary school and Mathubesizwe High School .

Department Of Basic Education SA
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
KZNDOE

28/08/2026

Having a voice, values-driven, our young Valued Citizens are leading their project to bring peace within their school community and leave a legacy as Generation Builders!

Sondela Open Dialogue, a platform to develop young leaders addressing social challenges and leading by example to develop a sense of safety and pride to belong to Udumo Secondary school.

South African Police Service




Thank to Secours populaire
KZNDOE and Department Of Basic Education SA

28/08/2026

Standing together to live their personal values, the grade 11 Valued Citizens are committed to stop bullying and violence in their school community at Udumo Secondary school. Their aim is to leave a legacy as young Generation Builders, encouraging each person to care, to report acts of violence and appraise values driven acts that make every child feel safe and proud to belong!




Values 20 Group
South African Police Service
Ukhozi FM

Thanks to KZNDOE and Secours populaire

Yesterday's Career Day served as a pivotal event, fostering introspection regarding personal values and reinforcing the ...
28/08/2026

Yesterday's Career Day served as a pivotal event, fostering introspection regarding personal values and reinforcing the alignment between current endeavors and deliberate progression toward individual career aspirations for 220 Grade 11 learners from Mbekamuzi High school, Guzana Secondary School, Nonhlevu Secondary School, Qoqulwazi Secondary School and Ricardo Mthembu Secondary School.

Mr. De Vyt, CEO of Avon & Dedisa Peaking Power, provided insightful dialogues on his experiences as a servant leader and the profound impact of aligning one's purpose with personal values. Entrepreneurs from the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism amplified the power of identifying a gap in the market, a need in a community to expand an idea into a thriving business while the District Officials from the KZNDOE recognised through our Valued Citizens Alumni, how the Bridging For Life serves as a transformative programme that links curriculum to life experience. A practical approach that cultivates the potential of each young individual, fostering confidence, resilience, and accountability until it fully blossoms.

Seen and heard, bold and determined, inspired and intentional, our youth thrive as we create a youth employability pathway!


Youth Carnival
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator

When young Valued Citizens choose to act together against violence and bullying in schools, using Values as their shield...
26/08/2026

When young Valued Citizens choose to act together against violence and bullying in schools, using Values as their shield!

A project they started to work on 3 months ago, committed to serve the community they live in. Through intentional leadership, they live their values and with courage find their voice to bring peace through dialogue.

Be You, Be Bold, Be Us!

We thank our partners Secours populaire, Secours Populaire Indre-et-Loire, the educators and leadership supporting our learners at Udumo Secondary school, and the KZNDOE.

The choice to step forward...👣👣The CHEAL Retreat today provided a reflective and participatory space for Social Work Pro...
21/08/2026

The choice to step forward...👣👣
The CHEAL Retreat today provided a reflective and participatory space for Social Work Professionals and Frontline Officers in Police Stations to pause, reconnect with themselves and consider the choices they make when moving forward in life and in their relationships.

Through creative activities collages in our journal and creating sounds that become music, open dialogues, and reflection, Social Work professionals and Frontline Officers explored the importance of self-acceptance, expressing emotions, setting healthy boundaries, managing expectations and recognising the difference between having expectations and consciously setting goals.

The retreat created an environment where participants could listen to themselves and to one another, while recognising that stepping forward is not simply about moving ahead, but about making intentional choices about who we are, what we want, what we accept and what we are prepared to change.

A central reflection emerging from the retreat was that moving forward begins with a choice. Participants explored the idea that progress does not necessarily mean having everything figured out. Sometimes, the first step is simply deciding to begin. "I exist,” “I am becoming,” “I am possibilities,” “I step forward valuing learning and accepting growth” captured this understanding.

Let us step forward and choose to take self on a healing journey... a Valued Citizen journey thanks to the Gauteng Department of Social Development, our platinum partner.




Department of Social Development Limpopo - DSD

Yesterday, invited by the French Institute of South Africa, in the presence of Ms. Mahori from the Department of Justice...
20/08/2026

Yesterday, invited by the French Institute of South Africa, in the presence of Ms. Mahori from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Momentum Building, 24 Valued Citizens learners gathered to plot through collages their critics and hopes about the next 30 years of our Constitutional Democracy.

Their reflections centred on justice, education, gender, access to human rights and human dignity, but their conversations went much deeper. They questioned whether education should continue to be viewed as an expense, or a strategic investment in our economy and in the future of our Constitutional Democracy.

Through teamwork, they challenged the narrow definition of educational success. With classrooms with a ratio of one educator for 40 to 80 learners, how do we ensure that every child is seen, nurtured and given an opportunity to discover their strengths? They called for greater access to extracurricular opportunities and schools of excellence in sport, arts, culture, chess and coding, creating pathways for talents.

They also reflected on innovation and the growing influence of AI. Their message was clear: innovation is more than just technology, it is about applying the brain and the hands to imagine, create and solve. "We need to become aware that AI is now taking away our creative voice, so we need to learn how to use it as a tool that helps us gain perspectives but still be the authors of what we create!"

Our young Valued Citizens are not simply imagining the future, they are questioning what kind of society we are building and what must change to make our Constitutional Democracy more inclusive, creative and human.

Be you, be bold, be us!

We appreciate the opportunity of developing active citizenry together with:
Our Platinum Partner Secours populaire and Secours Populaire Indre-et-Loire


EU in South Africa
France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi
The Gauteng Department of Education

Madibane High School, Lamula Jubilee Secondary School, Emadwaleni Secondary School





Family is the first nest where children begin to learn, from their first touch, first smile, first steps, first storytim...
18/08/2026

Family is the first nest where children begin to learn, from their first touch, first smile, first steps, first storytime and song... and then time flies and they wish to share about their emotions, their friends, setbacks and achievements through real dialogues with you as the parents.

Grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other caregivers all have a role to play.
You do not need expensive toys to nurture children, you need to spend quality time with them as too many of our learners today in high school dream about being able to speak to you about their school life and feel not heard as the excuse is culture prevails. Disconnected they long for expression of love, care and support.

Let us build families where children feel seen, listened to, protected, loved and encouraged to dream. Be present, listen and engage every day with your children with the cellphones far away from the table. Ask questions such as what was your favourite time today at school? Do some homeworks together, play together, create time for togetherness as it matters and share openly about your day too as your children are watching how you solve problems, how you respond to life, you are their first role model.

We encourage you to connect with the early childhood development practitioners and teachers at your children's school. By learning about their classroom experiences and working together, we enable children to grow into young adults who feel secure and confident to navigate the journey of life.

We extend our gratitude to our Platinum Partner, the Kaross Foundation, for their unwavering commitment to fostering family-centric communities.

Department of Social Development
Department of Social Development Limpopo - DSD
Gauteng Department of Social Development

Every woman was once a girl with a dream...Before she became a leader, a professional, a mother, an artist, an entrepren...
09/08/2026

Every woman was once a girl with a dream...
Before she became a leader, a professional, a mother, an artist, an entrepreneur, a scientist or a changemaker, she was a child learning to discover her voice and understand her various roles in the world.
But the journey from girlhood to womanhood is not always equal. In our society, girls still face barriers to education, safety, opportunity and the freedom to make decisions about their own body and futures. Girls are also more likely than boys to carry disproportionate responsibilities and these are potentials that can be lost.

This is why investing in girls matters!
A girl who is encouraged to ask questions becomes a woman who thinks critically.
A girl who is taught that her voice matters becomes a woman who speaks with confidence.
A girl who is given access to education gains tools to shape her future.
A girl who learns to value herself becomes a woman who knows her worth.
And a girl who learns that she can contribute to her community can grow into a Valued Citizen who contributes to transform it.
At Valued Citizens Initiative, we believe that citizenship begins early.
We must create spaces where girls can dream boldly, express themselves freely, challenge injustice, develop confidence and understand that leadership is not reserved for someone else.

I thank every woman who paved the way and opened doors to the younger generations, particularly partners such as ENGIE Foundation that invest in girls for their childhood to be a space where their future begins!

Department Of Basic Education SA
Department of Social Development
FSACCI - French South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Address

264 Oak Avenue
Randburg
2194

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 17:00
Sunday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27117819462

Website

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