Join the SA Military Youth Cadets Academy: Recruitment day at Hyde Park Primary

The SA Military Youth Cadets Academy, together with the Behavioural Modification Cognitive Dissonance Neurological Training Institute, will host a cadet recruitment day at Hyde Park Primary School, in Fairways, on Saturday, October 18, at 10am.

Young people attending will need to bring their identity document or birth certificate. Recruitment is open to two categories: those aged 16 to 24 years, and applicants 25 years and older. A parent, grandparent, or guardian must accompany a youth under 18.

Uniforms and tracksuits will be issued free of charge, depending on the success of the organisation’s collection drive and sponsorship appeals. The monthly subscription fee to join the programme is R10. 

Food stalls will be available on site, and additional uniform items will be on sale.

Branch commander and Parkwood resident Gafieldien Agulhas highlighted the importance of the initiative, particularly for the youth of Parkwood and surrounding areas. He said the programme is designed not only to instil discipline, but also to expose young people to positive activities and opportunities.

Workshops will address issues such as teenage pregnancy, while recreational and educational outings will include hiking, touring fire stations, visiting art museums, and exploring heritage buildings.

“This initiative will support children from Parkwood and nearby communities who often have limited opportunities beyond joining a gang,” Mr Agulhas said.

“We want to encourage our youth to dream bigger - to join the army or navy, or to pursue any career they set their minds to.”

Captain reverend doctor Randall Petersen, CEO of Dynamic Leadership Academy and the Behavioural Modification Cognitive Dissonance Neurological Training Institute, said their mission goes beyond uniforms and drills - it’s about discipline, personal development, and offering young people alternatives to gangsterism and crime.

With 39 branches across South Africa and six new branches launching soon, the academy provides structured programmes for youth from Grade 5 to Grade 12.

Cadets are trained with over 200 manuals and guided by seven specialised training guides. The curriculum includes not only discipline and leadership, but also creative outlets such as poetry writing, as part of a holistic approach to development.

Dr Petersen, a behavioural specialist from Stellenbosch University, said they help to address challenges faced by children from vulnerable backgrounds - including those affected by homelessness, absent parents, or exposure to gangsterism. 

Dr Petersen, who grew up in Manenberg, after being forcibly removed during the Group Areas Act of apartheid, from Constantia, shared how youth programmes changed his own life.

“I joined the Cubs and Scouts when I was young. Having a uniform and a sense of belonging kept me from being drawn into gangs,” he said. “That same love for community is what we want to pass on - to teach discipline, to share the true history of our country, and to inspire youth with stories of our famous leaders.”

With 40 years of experience in cadet training, Dr Petersen said it combines full knowledge of township realities with structured discipline, and he encouraged the youth to join.

There will also be a recruitment drive at Belville South High School, on Saturday, September 27, at 10am.

For more details, contact Dr Petersen at 078 079 3247 or Mr Agulhas at 073 972 0812.