Special Edition: #YouthMonth

Celebrating SA's youth | We invite you to catch up on all the influencers, achievers and future leaders

#YouthMonth: Celebrating SA's youth In the culmination of our YOUTH MONTH Content Feature, brought to you by Knorrox, we invite you to catch up on all the influencers, achievers and future leaders curated by our specialist industry editors, across 19 sectors, in this bumper newsletter. This year, the 60 or so Youth Month articles were published by our editors, Press Office and other stakeholders in the youth space, providing insights into the future generations at work and play, and how companies and brands are meeting the challenges set by these new generations. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Youth Month feature, in particular Knorrox. READ ALL #YOUTHMONTH>> RETAIL Meredith Allan, a force behind Shoprite Group's Xtra Savings programme From graduate to a general manager in 11 years, Meredith Allan is a force behind SA's best retail rewards programme, Shoprite Group's Xtra Savings... read MARKETING & MEDIA Lethiwe Ndawonde, junior brand manager at Mr Price Sport on self-esteem LETHIWE NDAWONDE I’ve never been the loudest in the room, and I’ve never needed to be... read MARKETING & MEDIA From TikTok to WhatsApp: how Gen Z is rewriting the rules of influence at work Gen Z isn’t waiting for permission to lead - they’re already broadcasting bold ideas, building personal brands, and creating a loyal following around them. The question is - are you ready to listen, learn and lead with them?... read MARKETING & MEDIA Education and AI in the spotlight Singularity Summit highlights technology and learning this Youth Month... read MARKETING & MEDIA Gaming - A gateway for Gen Z KYLA BOOYSEN Kyla Booysen, senior partner manager, Special Effects MediaBrands, says brands that want to stay culturally relevant can no longer ignore the power of gaming... read RETAIL Breaking the cycle: How investing in young lives builds a thriving nation South Africa’s youth face a daunting landscape marked by limited access to quality ECD services... read MARKETING & MEDIA What I wish I knew at 21 - 5 lessons for the next generation of tech leaders PHUMUDZO NEPFUMBADA At 21, many young professionals are driven to make an impact in the tech world. However, I’ve learnt throughout the years that the path to success is rarely a straightforward one... read MARKETING & MEDIA Knorrox gives a bull: A purpose-led movement rooted in strength, nutrition and community Knorrox has long been a household name, known for adding rich, meaty flavour to everyday meals. In 2025, the brand stepped beyond the kitchen - launching a nationwide movement that puts purpose on the plate... read MARKETING & MEDIA TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris’ Sydney Rheeder - Young people’s humanity, the key to their magic DANETTE BREITENBACH TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris’ creative innovation lead 24-year-old Sydney Rheeder says young people’s humanity is the key to their magic... read LIFESTYLE Vanessa Mhlom, founder of Pleroma Patch, encourages youth to 'rise, build, heal and lead' EVAN-LEE COURIE Vanessa Mhlom founded Pleroma Patch, a South African-born wellness brand, as a simpler, smarter way to care for your body... read MARKETING & MEDIA Michelle Lourens, IMA’s ‘Swiss army knife’, joins Cannes Lions Open Chair Programme KARABO LEDWABA Michelle Lourens talks about being selected for the prestigious Cannes Lions Open Chair programme... read LEGAL 'Change happens when young people believe their voices matter' - Anelisa Zungu SHAN RADCLIFFE Anelisa Zungu, candidate attorney at Herold Gie Attorneys, talks about what inspired her to get into law and why youth must be involved in society... read RETAIL Umayr Mohamed of Vans SA inspires youth to stay true to themselves EVAN-LEE COURIE This Youth Month, we chat to Umayr Mohamed, brand communications manager at Vans South Africa... read RETAIL Tebogo and Lebogang Ndala are redefining South African culinary arts EVAN-LEE COURIE Dynamic chefs, sports nutritionists, and cookbook authors from Pretoria, twins Tebogo and Lebogang Ndala, are the founders of With Love From The Twins... read RETAIL Lesedi Lehasa, a trade quality specialist, is shaping SAB's quality standards EVAN-LEE COURIE Lesedi Lehasa, a trade quality specialist at South African Breweries (SAB), is a driven and solutions-focused young leader... read MARKETING & MEDIA Until Until's Thithi Nteta on leveraging youth culture KARABO LEDWABA Under Thithi Nteta’s leadership, Until Until has grown into a powerhouse Through-The-Line agency... read MARKETING & MEDIA Advertising for employment: How youth are marketing themselves like products New graduates are replacing traditional résumés with cereal boxes, beer cans, and even Google Ads... read MARKETING & MEDIA SA’s Young Lions winners – “Our strength is our South Africanness” DANETTE BREITENBACH Young Lions Silver winners TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris’ Paula Andropoulos and Khomotso Makoto talk on the chaos and magic of their Cannes experience... read EDUCATION Youth Day 2025: Equipping the next generation with skills for a changing world On 16 June, South Africa commemorates Youth Day – a moment to reflect not only on the legacy of 1976 but also on the urgent priorities facing today’s youth... read LEGAL Bowmans' Lebohang Ramokonopi - encouraging accountability and civic responsibility SHAN RADCLIFFE Lebohang Ramokonopi's path to the legal profession has been shaped by “a deep commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service to my community”... read HR Sindiswa Balintulo on youth empowerment and thriving in multigenerational workplaces SHAN RADCLIFFE Sindiswa Sweetness Balintulo – human resource officer at Quickloc8 - wasn’t always planning on a career in HR... read MARKETING & MEDIA FCB social lead Khumbuzile Zondi is standing on business KARABO LEDWABA Khumbuzile Zondi never needed a paintbrush to be an artist. Her canvas is digital, her palette made of trends, insights, and real-time human behaviour... read MARKETING & MEDIA SA's youth - Most educated, least employed; something’s broken CHARLIE WANNELL Amasa board member, Mediamark's Charlie Wannell, says South Africa’s youth aren’t just the future of our industry, they’re the now... read EDUCATION Education has the power to break cycles and unlock futures - Florence Mokhalabone SHAN RADCLIFFE There’s a saying that goes “the stars shine brightest when the night is darkest” - and Florence Mokhalabone, assistant principal at Spark Riversands, is one of those stars... read MARKETING & MEDIA Reuters digital media report finds SA youth are plugged in but cautious KARABO LEDWABA The Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2025 finds SA youth are plugged in but cautious... read TOURISM Madri van der Westhuizen on redefining digital marketing in SA’s hospitality sector ROBIN FREDERICKS Madri van der Westhuizen from Anew Hotels & Resorts shares how curiosity and data-led creativity shape her approach to hospitality marketing... read ENTREPRENEURSHIP Breaking the barriers to youth employment: Digital infrastructure is key South Africa's youth unemployment crisis requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that combines digital infrastructure to support education, psychosocial support and fundamental shifts in employer attitudes... read LIFESTYLE From Cape Town to Hollywood, Bella Alexandras is SA's next rising star EVAN-LEE COURIE Bella Alexandras is a 15-year-old South African actress, singer, and producer rapidly carving out a presence across the global entertainment landscape... read FINANCE Nedbank Private Wealth launches NexLegacy initiatives to tackle the wealth transfer challenge One of the greatest challenges most high-net-worth families face is not how to create wealth, but how to pass wealth on successfully... read ENERGY & MINING Why SA's Just Energy Transition needs young people, township entrepreneurs NONJABULO SOKHELA South Africa’s Just Energy Transition could be a transformative force, but only if young people and township entrepreneurs are included, says Nonjabulo Sokhela... read ENERGY & MINING We are the generation we’ve been waiting for MAROEFAH SMITH I don’t just want to be in the alternative fuel sector, I want to reshape it from the ground up, says Ino-Biodiesel’s Mahlatse Mamaila... read LOGISTICS Nomathemba Selesho drives inclusion and resilience in SA’s logistics sector ROBIN FREDERICKS Nomathemba Selesho, a trailblazing entrepreneur, is rewriting the rules of South Africa’s male-dominated logistics industry... read MARKETING & MEDIA BET Software champions young minds with Robotics Clubs BET Software has launched Robotics Clubs at its beneficiary schools by donating state-of-the-art Edison robotics kits to empower students with hands-on experience in coding, engineering, and problem-solving. The Robotics Clubs provide students with access to a collaborative environment where they can develop critical thinking skills... read MARKETING & MEDIA Connections that count: How young entrepreneurs are transforming communities Three young entrepreneurs prove that meaningful relationships are the foundation of sustainable business growth... read MARKETING & MEDIA How South African youth are shaping the future of marketing Millennials and Gen Z in South Africa aren’t just influencing marketing, they’re fundamentally reshaping it... read MARKETING & MEDIA 5 things you might not know about SA's youth consumer class Young South Africans between 18 and 37 years, internet-connected and living in households with incomes of R10k+ a month, now make up the majority of the country’s tax paying base... read MARKETING & MEDIA Empowering South Africa’s youth through education and skills development This Youth Month, Sappi continues its commitment to equipping young South Africans with skills that foster employment, innovation, and long-term sustainability and economic inclusion, aligning perfectly with the 2025 theme of "Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation"... read MARKETING & MEDIA Zanele Kabane to represent South Africa at Cannes Young Lions Festival through Open Chair Her participation has been made possible through Open Chair, a South African organisation dedicated to empowering women in the advertising industry... read MARKETING & MEDIA African Gen Z on the rise in the global influence economy Across the African continent compelling economic and demographic forces are converging to position Gen Z, along with Gen Alpha, as the major force to shape the future of work, culture and consumerism... read MARKETING & MEDIA Why smart brands are already talking to Generation Alpha While many brands are still trying to figure out how to authentically engage with millennials and Gen Z, Penquin, a leading brand and communications agency, is urging marketers to shift their attention... read MARKETING & MEDIA Honouring the youth: A celebration of courage, commitment, and change As we celebrate Youth Month, we honour not just the legacy of those who fought for our freedom, but the young professionals of today who are carving paths with purpose and perseverance... read MARKETING & MEDIA Absa celebrates Youth Month by championing young voices and futures As Youth Month kicks off, Absa is proud to spotlight its growing portfolio of programmes and partnerships that uplift and invest in South Africa’s youth... read LIFESTYLE Nolan Pillay empowers youth with his book, The Millenial Success Code EVAN-LEE COURIE Nolan Pillay's book The Millennial Success Code aims to inspire, enlighten, and transform the hearts and minds of South Africa's youth... read AGRICULTURE Yolanda Maphalala champions agri-tech innovation ROBIN FREDERICKS Yolanda Maphalala, Isithelo EsiHle Ecological Farm founder and CEO blends agricultural economics expertise with cutting-edge agri-tech innovation... read AUTOMOTIVE Orran Smith finds his footing in Ford SA’s legal department IMRAN SALIE Orran Smith is part of the Ford SA's Graduate Development Programme... read ESG Meet the Wessa interns driving SA’s green energy sector MAROEFAH SMITH WIIP interns Malixole Buthelezi and Sithabile Majavu talk about challenges they’ve faced and how the green energy sector can alleviate SA’s unemployment crisis... read MARKETING & MEDIA Introducing the Effie Lions Foundation: Building a marketing industry for everyone Global non-profit aims to futureproof the industry through access and innovation... read MARKETING & MEDIA Cotton On Foundation launches Literacy Drive In celebration of Youth Month, the Cotton On Foundation has launched a bold new initiative aimed at transforming literacy outcomes in South Africa... read AGRICULTURE Pretty Kubyane, bridging tech and agriculture to empower Africa’s farmers ROBIN FREDERICKS Pretty Kubyane, co-founder of eFama App, is bridging technology and agriculture to connect African farmers to new markets and opportunities... read HEALTHCARE Avian Bell on inclusive, impactful healthcare across Africa MAROEFAH SMITH Quantumed's CEO Avian Bell, recently named one of Forbes Africa's 30 under 30, talks about overcoming obstacles... read LEGAL Onela Onthatile Moseane - from moot court to candidate attorney at Spoor & Fisher SHAN RADCLIFFE Onela Onthatile Moseane on how she fell in love with the law... read LEGAL Leaders of tomorrow are catalysts of change today - Magogodi Litlhakanyane, Bowmans SHAN RADCLIFFE Magogodi Litlhakanyane, football fan and candidate attorney at Bowmans, describes herself as a “dedicated and driven aspiring attorney... read LIFESTYLE GoodLuck is influencing SA's youth through its music EVAN-LEE COURIE Award-winning electric dance duo GoodLuck have shared stages with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Clean Bandit, and Jungle... read LIFESTYLE Mandisa Jakavula blends TikTok fame with a budding music career in SA EVAN-LEE COURIE Mandisa Jakavula, a popular South African TikTok creator and budding singer, started her career in her mom's kitchen... read ICT How 2 CAs built a tech startup to disrupt recruitment IMRAN SALIE Luke Tollman and Nic Forshaw share their journey from trainees to tech founders... read MARKETING & MEDIA 76 Reframed: From protests to portraits On 16 June 1976, police shot unarmed students for protesting in Soweto... read LEGAL Baker McKenzie candidate attorneys’ shared pursuit of justice and progress SHAN RADCLIFFE Promise Ndlovu, Nkateko Mabunda and Gabriella Desai, three unique individuals with a common link, are all candidate attorneys at Baker McKenzie... read MARKETING & MEDIA IAB Education Council Front Row commences 2025 nominations for top young talent The Interactive Advertising Bureau of South Africa (IAB SA)’s Education Council Front Row initiative has commenced nominations for its third year... read MARKETING & MEDIA Celebrating Youth Month and 2025 YEP Top Achievers June is Youth Month, a moment to remember the unstoppable spirit of young South Africans who stood for change in 1976 and to honour those who are standing for progress today... read AGRICULTURE Thando Zungu leads with data and resilience in SA’s poultry sector ROBIN FREDERICKS Thando Zungu's career journey reflects the resilience, innovation, and leadership driving SA’s agricultural sector forward... read MARKETING & MEDIA Africa’s youth are rising - and they’re taking the energy transition with them As we stand at the crossroads of opportunity and adversity, Africa's energy future hangs in the balance... read FINANCE How Philani Potwana's journey from trainee to CEO is reshaping African banking KATJA HAMILTON Philani Potwana, CEO at FNB, shares insights on leadership, innovation, and empowering Africa’s youth to shape a more inclusive financial future... read LOGISTICS Keneilwe Tekane on breaking barriers in South Africa’s rail sector ROBIN FREDERICKS Keneilwe Tekane is a recently qualified diesel electric fitter artisan at Traxtion and 2025 Apprentice of the Year... read LEGAL Every child has the right to dignity and protection - Lara Horne, Herold Gie Attorneys SHAN RADCLIFFE Lara Horne is passionate about the Children’s Act and its recognition of the importance of children... read EDUCATION A pathway for possibility - the role of online schools in breaking barriers TESSA VENTER As an educator, June feels particularly poignant as it is Youth Month - an opportunity to reflect on the important role of education... read CONSTRUCTION Meet the young architect shaping a sustainable future in South Africa KATJA HAMILTON Redefining green architecture: The youth are leading the charge... read EDUCATION Youth Month: Owethu and Tumelo Mahan - Making waves in and out of the pool Between lectures, training sessions and international swimming competitions, University of Pretoria (UP) students Tumelo (18) and Owethu Mahan (20) have little time to slow down... read MARKETING & MEDIA PluxNet concludes Youth Month with inspiring Development Expo at Hector Peterson Memorial In a powerful close to Youth Month, PluxNet hosted a dynamic Youth Development Expo on Saturday, 28 June 2025, at Holy Cross Church, situated at the Hector Peterson Memorial. Themed “Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future,” the event brought together Grade 12 learners, unemployed youth, and educators from across Johannesburg and beyond... read EDUCATION Tomorrow Trust and Tutor Doctor bridging education gaps Celebrating Youth Month with a transformative partnership... read FINANCE Coronation and students discuss careers, growth, and leadership Youth Month is a time to reflect on the strength and determination of South Africa’s young people... read MARKETING & MEDIA A recap on Youth and Environment Month: Public Sector Leaders June edition In his letter to the nation, President Ramaphosa referenced the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter and its aspiration that the wealth of the country should be shared by all... read LEGAL Securing the legacy of our youth South Africa is home to a significant youth population, with roughly 19.7 million children under the age of 18, about 32% of the national population, according to UNICEF data for 2023... read MARKETING & MEDIA Anglo American Zimele opens global doors for SA youth From rural South Africa to luxury cruise liners, a new generation is rising confident, skilled, and globally connected... read FINANCE South African youth expenditure: Promising and pragmatic Despite concerns about the economy they may inherit, South African youth continue to display resilience by making pragmatic financial decisions... read FOLLOW US List company List CV List new business List portfolio showcase List profile Submit event Submit gallery Submit job ad Submit new appointment Submit news Submit noticeboard Submit op-ed contribution Home My job ads My events My company My CV Advertising: We welcome your sales enquiries! 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