Traffic officer John Nkomo, Avela Mcilongo and councillor Aslam Cassiem during the ceremony to congratulate 120 young people who passed their learners’ licences.
More than 100 young men and women from Phoenix, Dunoon and Khayelitsha now have learners’ licences, thanks to a City programme.
The Community Action Plan (CAP) pilot programme is helping young people from disadvantaged areas get their learner’s and driver’s licences.
The City used an accredited driving school to take them through a training programme, and on Friday June 24, a ceremony was held at the Edgemead civic centre to congratulate the 120 candidates who passed their learner’s licences.
“The intervention is based on the current job market which shows that most of the few available job opportunities require a driver’s licence,” the City said in a statement.
“The project is a meaningful intervention that will profoundly enhance their chances at employment in the future,” said PR councillor Alsam Cassiem, who chairs the spatial planning and environment portfolio committee.
Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews said the City had received 2 000 applications and the pass rate was 85%.
“Unemployment is a huge challenge in our country and obtaining a driver’s licence is costly,” he said.