"There is an energy in South African communities that cannot be taught. Young people are showing us what is possible when they are backed, not just believed in."Shingi Bimha, Head of Partnerships and Programmes, Anglo American Foundation
Creativity and hustle
In Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, RLabs is proving what happens when young people have the space and support to lead. Every month, First Thursdays draw crowds into their buzzing hub. It is part open mic night, part marketplace, part networking session. It is a celebration of local talent, where culture and commerce come together.
RLabs also plays a vital role in our Circular Economy Programme, alongside TechnoServe, GreenCape and Scout Impact. Together, we are connecting reclaimers, micro-enterprises and corporate partners to unlock jobs and grow small businesses.
“The circular economy is about more than just recycling. It’s about turning waste into opportunity. When young people step into this space, they gain stability, hope, and the chance to shape their own economic future. This isn’t just about sustainability. It’s about building futures.”Marlon Parker, Co-founder, Rlabs
Mental wellbeing
Doing well starts with being well. Without mental and emotional support, it is difficult for young people to show up fully in their work, relationships or communities. That is why we partner with Amathuba Collective, a South African social enterprise focused on building resilience from the inside out. Amathuba provides weekly peer support sessions to young people in work experience programmes, offering a consistent space to talk, reflect and reset. These are not clinical check-ins. They are conversations with trained youth supporters who understand the pressure of being young, unemployed and navigating tough environments. The focus is on building confidence, not diagnoses. Over time, these sessions help young people move from survival mode to a place of self-trust and direction. One participant said, “Don’t tell me how to live my life. We want to define our own success. And then go out and make it happen.” That mindset shift is the goal. Young people begin to see themselves differently, not as stuck, but as capable of shaping the path ahead.
That focus on mental well-being continues at Waves for Change, a non-profit that runs surf therapy programmes for young people affected by trauma, violence and chronic stress. Funded by the Foundation, their approach combines the mental health benefits of sports such as surfing with structured activities that build emotional awareness, self-regulation and trust. It is about helping young people feel safe in their own bodies, connect with others and gain tools to manage everyday challenges. Many of the participants come from communities where access to care is limited, and the programme becomes a lifeline.
As founder Tim Conibear puts it, “The Foundation’s investment in our core costs provided us with the freedom to innovate and experiment. We don’t see many funders that grant organisations like us the licence to explore.”
That flexibility has allowed Waves for Change to grow from a local idea to a globally recognised model for youth mental health, one that starts with trust, centres community and meets young people where they are.
Collaboration and co-design
What ties all this work together is trust. Trust in young people’s ideas. Trust in the power of local leadership. And trust in collaboration that is shaped by community and its innovators. From waste reclaimers building businesses to young leaders shaping conversations, this is a movement powered by hope.
As the G20 heads to Johannesburg, the spotlight is on the future. But you do not need to look far to see where it is being built. It is taking shape in townships, on coastlines, in pop-up markets and on WhatsApp groups. Young South Africans are not waiting for permission. They are already leading. The question is whether the rest of us are ready to follow their lead.
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