YouthX by Nedbank launched in Braamfontein

By Edward Tsumele, CITYTLIFE/ARTS Editor

Not even the less than ideal coldish Johannesburg weather deterred Johannesburg’s entrepreneurial young people from converging at Braamfobnetin’s Mangrove venue for the launch of yet another opportunity for young business people to get funding from Nedbank for their business ideas.

Youth X was first launched last year and it saw young get its inaugural R50 000 prize as a business start up. The young lawyer Keitiumetse has since used that money to launch a legal services website And the website should be up and running in the next few weeks, Ketumetse  Pule said at the launch of Youth Xon Tuesday, August 16, 2921.

Inspiration comes in all forms and means so much when it comes from people who drive positive change. Launched in 2021, YouthX is back for its second edition as Nedbank  continues its drive to empower the youth by providing them with access to resources, mentorship and inspiration to unlock their potential.

According to Stats SA, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15–24 and 42,1% for those aged 25–34 in the first quarter of 2022. The unemployment rate among young graduates (aged 15–24 years) declined from 40,3% to 32,6%, while it increased by 6,9 percentage points to 22,4% for those aged 25–34 years in the same period.

‘We have seen the change that YouthX by Nedbank has made in the lives of last year’s winners who received funding from Nedbank and mentorship from the changemakers to help them kick-start and advance their entrepreneurial journeys. YouthX is a platform that tangibly demonstrates our commitment and dedication to tackling issues that youth face daily’, says Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank. 

Nedbank has partnered with 16 influential thought leaders and experts, dubbed changemakers, and tasked them with mentoring and inspiring the youth to pursue their passions and drive positive change in society.  

This year, YouthX has revamped the programme to enhance its relevancy by adding subcategories across its four main categories: Sports and Entertainment; Tech and Innovation; Social Good and Sustainability; and Arts and Culture. Each of the categories has four subcategories, with one changemaker assigned per subcategory. Forming part of last year’s success story, 2021 Changemaker of the Year Keitumetse Pule has been assigned as one of the changemakers in the Tech and Innovation category.

‘We have rigorously selected this year’s changemakers who could positively influence the youth and the people they aspire to emulate. YouthX is a platform that encourages youth to exchange ideas with each other and we believe that through this, ideas will be born that can take this country forward and inspire more youth to execute their own ideas.

‘The YouthX movement is offering the youth a valuable opportunity to gain direct access to industry leaders within a field aligned with their passion. The youth face a pethora challenges in finding employment opportunities and mentors; the changemakers offer empowering insights and guidance that can positively impact their career paths or entrepreneurial ambitions’, added Nobanda. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this year’s YouthX and you could be named the next Changemaker of the Year. Visit https://www.unlocked.me/potential to find out more.

Enter your work from August to November to stand a chance of winning prizes valued at R300 000 at the YouthX Summit in December. These prizes aim to help the winners fund their business ideas, existing businesses, or opportunities to further their careers. One winner will be selected in each of the four award categories: Arts and Entertainment, Sports and Entertainment, Social Good and Sustainability, and Tech and Innovation. 

YouthX 2022 edition changemakers:

Sports and entertainment 

• Participation and activities

 Director Kit aka Keitumetse Qhali, an award-winning director pouring her passion into the art of storytelling.

• Marketing and commercialisation

Thabo Moloi: Known as ‘Yvng Savage’, who is leading the South African e-sports industry by competing as one of the best South African FIFA players. 

• Broadcast and media

Julia Stuart: An award-winning sports presenter and in-studio anchor. 

• General in sports and entertainment

Chantel Struwig: A fitness and wellness influencer who is an advocate for celebrating individuality and self-confidence.

Technology and innovation  

• Software, app and product development

Dr Cherise Dunn: A pioneer in bringing 3D printing, additive manufacturing and design thinking education to South Africans. 

• Data Science

Barathang Miya: The founder of GirlHype Code, an organisation dedicated to empowering girls and youth in the ICT sector.

• Web3

Ulrico Grech-Cumbo: A co-founder of one of the biggest virtual reality studios in the southern hemisphere, Habitat XR, which is a multi-award-winning, impact-led immersive experiences studio. 

• General in technology and innovation

Keitumetse Pule: The 2021 Nedbank YouthX Changemaker of the Year, who is currently building Legal Standpoint, an app-based legal tech start-up working to democratise legal education and legal services.

Social good and sustainability 

• Philanthropy

Candice Chirwa: Author, gender activist and thought leader. Candice’s activism is led by the belief that women and girls deserve fundamental human rights. She established an award-winning non-profit organisation (NGO), QRATE, and is slowly shifting the social narrative around menstruation.

• Mental wellness through society 

Dr Gwen Tonyane: A psychiatrist who works closely with the youth to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health. She is also an activist for inspiring and guiding youth to live a balanced life.

• Environmental solutions 

Catherine Constantinides: A humanitarian, environmental and climate change activist and former Miss Earth. She is also co-founder of Generation Earth – a green networking platform with the youth, for the youth, by the youth. ​

• General in social good and sustainability​

Sonia Tona: A South African-Congolese designer, presenter and content creator who uses her craft to redefine and cultivate conversations around sustainability. Sonia is renowned for her custom-designed garments that are crafted from upcycled clothing items. 

Arts and Culture 

• Visual and literary arts

Trevor Stuurman: Extremely influential in the visual arts and fashion industry, his contemporary style saw him being named one of Forbes 30 Under 30, and TIME Next Generation Leader in 2021. His work has been showcased and honoured globally.

• Fashion and beauty

Thatiso Dube: Founder of GALXBOY, a brand that was founded in 2008 and designed for the youth, by the youth. His work encompasses the modern aspirations of young South Africans.

• Culinary

Mmiso Luphondo: Also known as Mmisology, a young entrepreneur whose talents lie in DJ’ing and mixology. 

• General in arts and culture 

Tarryn Alberts: An award-winning street dancer originally from Eldorado Park who is an inspiration for young South Africans and advocated for breaking racial and gender-based stereotypes in the industry.