Even before her election as a junior councillor for the City of Cape Town, Mikayla Manuels was spearheading various projects to fulfil her mission of making children feel “valued and empowered.”

The latest of them is “Capes and Courage”, which aims to remind children at Heaven’s Nest Orphanage in Ottery that they are true heroes, no matter how young they may be.

The ambitious Plumstead High School Grade 10 pupil said she applied in late January for the junior councillor position. “My application was a success, I went for an interview on February 27 and on March 1, I heard the JCC (Junior City Council) custodian say that that my interview was a success,” she told Southern Mail.

Mikayla is also a Child Government Monitor for the Western Cape Children’s Commissioner. “I am also a proud recipient of the Coloured Girls Bursary Foundation.”

Talking about her work with Heaven’s Nest, Mikayla said: “During a substitution period, I was reflecting on my leadership project when an idea suddenly struck me: ‘Mikayla, why not contact a local orphanage and see if they'd partner up with you?’ Following this spark of inspiration, I reached out to Heaven's Nest Orphanage. I felt compelled to do this because children in foster care are often overlooked, and I firmly believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, loved, and supported, regardless of their situations.”

The project's name was no coincidence - “Capes” highlight the superhero qualities of these children, while “Courage” stems from my favourite Bible verse, Joshua 1:9, which encourages us to be strong and courageous in the face of adversity. “Capes and Courage” serves as a reminder that we should all be brave when facing challenges in our lives.

Mikayla, who wants to study psychology after finishing high school, said she is “incredibly passionate about making a positive impact on these children's lives, ensuring they feel valued and empowered. This project means a great deal to me, and I am committed to fostering a sense of bravery and heroism among these young individuals.”

A few weeks ago, she said, she was giving a motivational talk at Kannemeyer Primary School, when she “engaged with the enthusiastic Grade 7 learners about the exciting transition from primary school to high school”.

“It was truly heart-warming to see their eyes light up with curiosity and anticipation as we discussed the new adventures, friendships, and opportunities that await them. The experience was a wonderful reminder of the boundless potential and dreams that these young minds hold,” she said.

Mikayla’s proud mother Terry said: “We as her parents are extremely proud of her and the way she carries herself. “In this short space of time I can see that her personality has had a big push in interacting within a group & solo and becoming much more confident.She has always been ambitious and has a desire to only succeed in achieving her goals.”

About the Junior City Council

The Junior City Council is an initiative run by the City of Cape Town which aims to expose high school pupils in Cape Town to the workings of the City Council. The JCC consists of 50 dynamic youth in grades 10 and 11. The one year non-political programme aims to foster a sense of civic responsibility among the youth and to develop young people’s skills and self-image so that they can become confident in their abilities to bring about change in their respective communities.