Times are changing, and so too are the skills required for young people to make a meaningful impact in their world. Afrika Tikkun brought together leaders and officials from various fields for crucial conversations on how to positively contribute to the future of young South Africans.
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 June 2025) – June marks the month in which we celebrate, honour and support the youth and all the things that concern them, and Afrika Tikkun kicked it off with a powerful Youth Month Breakfast on 12 June.
Held at the Uthando Centre in Braampark, Johannesburg, the event brought together government officials, business leaders, and development stakeholders for crucial conversations about the future of young South Africans.
The breakfast, themed around youth development and essential skills, served as a dynamic platform for collaboration and inspiration.
Attendees engaged in a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring experts and change-makers who shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing young people in today’s economy.
A particularly moving moment of the morning came from Afrika Tikkun alumni, who shared personal stories of transformation made possible through the organisation’s Cradle-to-Career 360° model.
Their journeys stood as powerful testaments to the impact of holistic youth development and the importance of sustained investment in young lives.
An Effort to Tackle Youth Unemployment
Afrika Tikkun’s Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Nellie Zembe, emphasised that the event was more than a conversation but a call to action.
“The key themes are collaboration, skills development, and shifting from employability to actual employment. It’s about bringing all our efforts together to reach more young people and create sustainable opportunities. We are deeply grateful to all our partners and guests who joined us in reaffirming our collective commitment to empowering South Africa’s youth.”
Zembe said the current youth unemployment rate, which is at 62.4%, is a crisis that demands urgent, coordinated intervention.
“There is no room for siloed efforts if we are to achieve meaningful impact.”
She explained how Africa Tikkun’s flagship Early Childhood Development programme, which has reached over 2,000 children, lays the foundation for future employability and success.
“It’s a well-designed programme with trained teachers, an internationally accredited curriculum and a strong parent-child focus. We’ve identified all the ingredients that make a child school-ready — 99% of our kids enter Grade 1 ahead of the standard. We offer an after-school programme to keep them ahead, not just academically, but by exposing them to chess, coding and sport. Exposure builds confidence and helps them show up better in class.”
She added that 90% of their children passed matric last year, and over 50% are now in university.
“That matters because graduate unemployment is under 10%, compared to 62.4% overall youth unemployment. We’re focused not just on employability but on actual employment. Even for those who missed our earlier programmes, our skills development and placement work ensures they’re job-ready with the soft skills employers value most, like problem solving and communication.”
Encouraging Investment in the Youth
Mokgadi Waleng, a Client Relationship Manager at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, said corporates are no longer looking at young people as “beneficiaries just there to tick a box or fill a voucher.”
“There’s been a shift. Employers now see them as active contributors and are willing to invest in those who show up. The difference is clear when youth go through skills programmes with 6 or 12-month contracts. They don’t just gain education or technical skills. They also learn to adjust socially. That transition from education to employment is huge. We need more of these programmes, and more involvement from SMEs and civil society.”
Gauteng Social Development Department’s Acting Head of Department, Bongani Ngomane, also added that the department was investing in undergraduates and professors, particularly in the area of social development.
With over three decades of service, Afrika Tikkun continues to lead the way in creating opportunities out of poverty for disadvantaged youth, equipping them with the skills, confidence and support needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As Youth Month continues, Afrika Tikkun invites all stakeholders to join hands in building a future where every young person has the opportunity to succeed.
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