South Africa Youth Day 2025
Today, we celebrate the power, passion and possibility of South Africa’s youth. At the Anglo American Foundation, we believe young people are not just the future. They are the changemakers of today.
How we work
We take a holistic approach to youth empowerment by ensuring young people have the mental resilience, entrepreneurial mindset, and civic self-esteem to thrive. Rather than focusing on one piece of the puzzle, we address the full spectrum of what it means to unlock youth potential.
We work with partners to ensure young people have the tools, networks, and confidence to take action in their lives and communities. Through our programmes, we help young people turn ambition into action. We listen to their needs, support their dreams, and create spaces where their voices matter.
We work with partners to ensure young people have the tools, networks, and confidence to take action in their lives and communities. Through our programmes, we help young people turn ambition into action. We listen to their needs, support their dreams, and create spaces where their voices matter.
Youth Voice
Society thrives when young people have a say in shaping its future. We embrace their perspectives and work with them to elevate their voices. Through our programmes we empower youth to take action, make decisions, and drive solutions to the issues that matter most.
Together with our partners, we’re shifting the narrative to celebrate youth as leaders today—not just in the future—and encouraging communities to value their contributions.
Together with our partners, we’re shifting the narrative to celebrate youth as leaders today—not just in the future—and encouraging communities to value their contributions.
Mental Wellbeing
To do well, young people need to be well. Mental wellbeing is crucial for confidence, resilience, and success. Yet across the world, youth mental health is often overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood. Many young people struggle in silence, facing anxiety, stress, and pressures that impact their ability to learn, work, and engage with their communities.
Our programmes focus on equipping youth with tools to build resilience, foster hope, and unlock their potential.
Our programmes focus on equipping youth with tools to build resilience, foster hope, and unlock their potential.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
The world needs young people who can think creatively, take risks, and solve problems. An entrepreneurial mindset is not just about starting a business, it is about having the confidence to turn ideas into action. Whether in business, social impact, or leadership, young people need the skills and mindset to navigate an uncertain world, create new opportunities, and shape the future.
We support initiatives that foster creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, ensuring young people gain the tools to adap and lead.
We support initiatives that foster creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, ensuring young people gain the tools to adap and lead.
Our Partners
We partner with NGOs, social enterprises, grassroots leaders, global organisations, and businesses that lead the work, shape the agenda, and drive change where it matters most.
Waves for Change
EMpower
Amthuba Collective
WeThePeopleSA
Waves for Change
Waves for Change (W4C) is a South African social enterprise that uses surf therapy to improve the mental health and well-being of vulnerable children from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering them a chance to learn, grow, and heal through surfing and supportive mentorship.
EMpower
Founded in 2000, EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with local organisations in emerging market countries, and other change-makers, to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.
Amthuba Collective
Amathuba Collective is creating supportive ecosystems that place young people at the heart of systemic transformation.
WeThePeopleSA
WeThePeopleSA was born to promote respect for the Constitution, human rights and democracy. We animate the Constitution to help bridge the gap between its values and ideals and our lived reality.
While young people often bear the brunt of global crises, their ingenuity, resilience, and passion also hold the key to unlocking solutions. By investing in their potential, we can equip them to become architects of a brighter future, not just for themselves, but for generations to come.Themba Mkhwanazi, Regional Director, Africa & Australia, Anglo American, Trustee of the Anglo American Foundation
Read our stories
Hear from our partners and explore their inspiring stories of leadership and collaboration that amplify youth voices and create opportunities.
Featured
Hope in motion
In the heart of Cape Town’s townships, where challenges often overshadow opportunity, a quiet revolution is underway. Reconstructed Living Labs (RLabs) is not just an organisation. It is a movement, a home, and a launchpad for young people who dare to dream. Born from the belief that hope is contagious, RLabs puts that philosophy into action, empowering youth to shape their own stories and redefine the future of their communities.
