Empowering Youth, Building a Brighter Future

Our Story

The Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre (NMYC) was opened in October 2003 by the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela. Situated in the sprawling township of Chatsworth with a population of almost 500 000 people, the NMCYC has become a hub for all forms of activity to uplift the youth and the community at large.

A tragic incident in Chatsworth in 2001 led to a public outcry and the coming together of the community to appeal to Nelson Mandela to help build the youth centre. The incident occurred when young people attending a ‘dance matinee’ at a local nightclub were caught in a stampede that led to the death of 13 children, some as young as 10-years old. The residents outcry and plea for a safe haven for youth activity, led Mandela to solicit funding for the building of the Youth Centre