This past Sunday we had a hike with a difference. The Saartjie Baartman Centre brought along a cohort of young men who are part of their Beyond the Streets programme. Social worker Ameerah Rojan explains what Beyond the Streets is all about.

Beyond the Streets

By Ameerah Rojan (Child Protection Social Worker at SBCWC)

Beyond the Streets is a four-month violence-prevention and youth development programme run from the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC). The programme was developed in response to the ongoing gang violence affecting our surrounding communities and the far-reaching impact this has on individuals, families and the broader community. Gang violence contributes to an environment in which violence becomes normalised and has wider implications for gender-based violence (GBV).

As an organisation working to address GBV, Saartjie recognises that meaningful, long-term change requires us to look beyond responding to violence after it has occurred and begin addressing some of the underlying factors that contribute to it. This includes engaging boys and young men, challenging harmful ideas about masculinity and violence, and creating opportunities for them to develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Beyond the Streets was therefore established as a way of working at the root of these issues through early intervention, prevention and positive youth development.

Who is the programme for?

The programme works with boys aged 14–19 from surrounding communities.Boys may be referred to the programme by professionals or community networks. They can also express their interest in participating through an online registration link. The programme provides an opportunity to engage with young people who may benefit from a supportive environment, positive mentorship and guidance during an important stage of their development.

The objectives of the programme

Beyond the Streets aims to challenge cycles of violence by providing boys with a space to reflect on their experiences, attitudes and behaviour. Through the programme, we aim to:

• Challenge harmful attitudes towards masculinity, aggression and violence.

• Explore the links between community violence, interpersonal violence and gender-based violence.

• Develop emotional awareness, emotional regulation and healthier ways of managing anger and conflict.

• Encourage respectful relationships, accountability, empathy and healthy communication.

• Provide opportunities for positive mentorship, peer connection and a stronger sense of belonging.

• Support boys in recognising their strengths, making informed choices and envisioning futures beyond violence.

How the programme works

The programme runs over four months and uses facilitated group sessions, discussions, creative activities, mentorship and shared experiences to engage the boys. Rather than simply telling participants what is right or wrong, the programme creates opportunities for them to reflect, participate in discussions, learn from one another and consider how their choices and actions affect themselves and those around them.

The recent hike

Participants in the hike this past weekend were part of our second cohort. The hike offered the boys an opportunity to step outside their usual environments and connect through a shared experience. It also created space for them to mingle, strengthen friendships, build camaraderie and develop a sense of connection with one another. These experiences are meaningful because positive peer relationships and a sense of belonging can help create alternatives to harmful group dynamics and provide opportunities for boys to experience connection in a healthier, more constructive way.

Ultimately, Beyond the Streets is about recognising that preventing violence requires us to invest in young people and address the conditions that allow cycles of violence to continue. By engaging boys and young men, challenging harmful norms and creating opportunities for positive development, Saartjie Baartman Centre hopes to contribute to safer communities and the broader work of preventing gender-based violence.

Read more about Blocktober here blocktober.co.za

Donate using this link https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/blocktober-and-saartjie-baartman-centre-2026

Start here – Get involved in Blocktober:

Start here: Overview & How to take part