I am very honoured to have been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Chrysalis Academy by the Department of Community Safety and will execute my duties to the very best of my ability.

 South Africa is currently on the threshold of one of its greatest and most significant milestones, as we approach the kick-off to the 2010 Soccer World Cup in June later this year. Although I have been doing community building for the past fifteen years, I am excited to have been given the opportunity of leading this youth development institution at a time such as this, when our children and young people are facing so many difficult challenges and vulnerabilities.

The Academy’s 3-month training programme covers 4 (four) phases, designed to empower young people in various aspects of life skills. As a trained legal professional, I am so painfully aware of the snares and temptations which the youth in our communities are faced with on a daily basis. I therefore applaud every young person who, at this point in their lives, makes this important and crucial decision to allow the Academy to transform their lives positively. This is your first bold step into a future of endless opportunities and possibilities, where you will be empowered with the skills to turn every stumbling block into a stepping stone.

I also wish to extend a warm welcome to the parents, siblings and families of our youth. Without your active and constructive support, we would not be able to fulfill our mission. We as leaders in our society, are joined together in this all- important race against the scourge of drugs, gangsterism and crime, where each citizen is responsible for taking up the baton.

We should regard it as our duty to encourage and mentor our children and youth so that they can continue on their journey through life as strong, positive community leaders, ready to lead by example and positively impact the generations of tomorrow.

May 2010 turn out to be the most memorable, fruitful year of our lives!!  

God Bless!

Advocate Anthea Michaels                             
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Chrysalis Academy