Afrika Tikkun

Meet Neo Kgatla, whose inspiring journey demonstrates how the Microsoft Skills for Jobs initiative is equipping young people with the critical skills needed to thrive in today’s job market. Neo's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven partnerships in transforming lives and creating new opportunities. Check out Neo's AI Story in Africa below! Link: https://lnkd.in/daT_NGhJ As we look to the future, we invite you to collaborate with us by investing in and supporting our Cradle to Career programmes. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and continue to drive positive change in the lives of children and young people like Neo. Let us unite in our efforts and highlight the power of responsible kindness! Partner with us: https://lnkd.in/dQ5quYRt #EmpoweringYouth #SkillsForJobs #CradleToCareer #AfrikaTikkun #YouthDevelopment #ImpactThroughPartnership

3 November–3 December is Global Disability Month—a time to recognise the challenges, triumphs, and rights of persons with disabilities in South Africa and beyond. In South Africa, approximately 7.5% of the population lives with disabilities, yet many still face barriers to education, employment, and accessibility. At Afrika Tikkun, we believe in creating inclusive communities that empower and uplift all individuals. Through our disability and inclusion programme, we provide crucial resources, counseling, and job placement assistance to help young people with disabilities achieve their goals. Join us this month in advocating for an inclusive world where we all see the able and not the label. #GlobalDisabilityMonth #AfrikaTikkun #DisabilityandInclusion

Group CEO Onyinye Nwaneri highlights the impactful partnership between Afrika Tikkun, KFC Africa, and #AddHope, emphasizing how it enables Afrika Tikkun to effectively implement essential programs that support young people at every stage of their development. This collaboration ensures that vulnerable youth not only receive nourishment but also benefit from comprehensive support systems tailored to their growth, education, and future opportunities. Through these initiatives, Afrika Tikkun and its partners continue to empower young individuals, paving the way for brighter, sustainable futures. https://lnkd.in/d-Dt9jaD #ImpactfulPartnerships #AddHope #CradletoCareer

Afrika Tikkun’s 30th Anniversary Gala: Celebrating Legacy, Impact, and the Future Last week, we gathered with our supporters, partners, alumni, and future champions to honour 30 transformative years of Afrika Tikkun’s impact across South Africa. With over 325,529 young lives touched through our Cradle to Career model, the evening was a powerful celebration of legacy and our shared commitment to sustainable change. Reflecting on our journey, we celebrated countless stories of resilience, growth, and opportunity. From education and skills development to family support and advocacy, Afrika Tikkun has been dedicated to empowering young South Africans to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Looking ahead, we are excited to reach even more lives, create brighter futures, and ensure that every young person has the support they need to unlock their full potential. Here is to the next 30 years of impact and empowerment! #AfrikaTikkun30Years #LegacyOfImpact #CelebratingChange #CradletoCareer

Discovery Safe Journeys To School is officially launching in Gauteng on Wednesday, 6 November. The programme works with scholar transport drivers to adopt and improve road safety behaviours and practices as an essential part of scholar transport services. This is the reasonable expectation of learners, parents and guardians – that scholars will have safe commutes to and from school – as they access their right to education. Participating Discovery SJTS drivers receive a vehicle tracking device which monitors their behaviours and incentivises those who practice safe driving, remain compliant with passenger transport regulations and complete first aid and defensive driver training. By participating in the programme drivers enhance their professional skills, adopt safer practices and this results in a significant reduction of risk for road accidents and protecting school children from injury and even death during their school commute. The Discovery SJTS programme works with scholar transport drivers to improve road behaviour, which has significantly reduced accidents on scholar journeys. The programme started in 2013 in the Western Cape and has now expanded to Gauteng. In its 11-year existence Discovery SJTS has achieved numerous successes, including no road fatalities or significant accidents recorded since its inception in 2013. In the Western Cape Discovery SJTS has almost 700 participating drivers, covering 55 areas, consistently and safely transporting over 25,000 learners to and from school. The programme has been running in Gauteng since the end of 2023 and is steadily growing. On Wednesday, 6 November the official launch marks the first major event where drivers, the programme team, funder and it’s implementing partner Afrika Tikkun will come together. It will be a celebration of the achievements in Gauteng to date where the future plans for the programme will be shared and participating scholar drivers who have shown consistent safe behaviours and results will be rewarded. Discovery SJTS recognises the important role scholar transporters hold in transporting and taking care of learners during their journeys to and from school. Often their function as carers to a vulnerable group – minor children – is overlooked. In working with drivers’ the programme seeks to improve safety and support conditions that allow learners to access their right to education.

We are thrilled to collaborate with W&R SETA on the Empowering Youth: Career Pathways in Wholesale and Retail programme! This initiative bridges the gap between education and employment by providing career guidance, hands-on support, and industry insights to help young people pursue rewarding careers in wholesale and retail. Through structured sessions at our community centres, we aim to empower 300+ youth with the skills and motivation to succeed. Investing in youth career guidance and skills development builds a steady talent pipeline, strengthening the long-term growth and sustainability of the wholesale and retail sector. Empowering young people with career opportunities not only supports local businesses but also helps create stable, thriving communities, benefiting the entire economy. #YouthEmpowerment #CareerGuidance #WholesaleAndRetail #AfrikaTikkun #WRSETA #PathwaysToSuccess

Our young people from the Ignite Programme (Grades 1–12) took the stage this past weekend for the Afrika Tikkun Spelling Bee, displaying not only their incredible spelling skills but also their commitment to learning and personal growth. Though a competition, the Spelling Bee is a powerful tool in education, helping students build critical language skills, boost their confidence, and spark a lifelong love for reading and words. We are immensely proud of every participant who stepped up with grit, talent, and determination! Special congratulations to Diepsloot (Wings of Life) for bringing in the most winners—your hard work truly shone brightly. Here is to inspiring the next generation of empowered, confident young leaders! #AfrikaTikkun #IgniteProgramme #SpellingBee2024 #CradletoCareer

Through the PepsiCo-Preneurs Learnership initiative, 56 young entrepreneurs (ages 18-24) will gain the skills and hands-on experience needed to grow their businesses and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Over the next 12 months, these young entrepreneurs will participate in a New Venture Creation programme, gaining practical entrepreneurship skills and working to make affordable, nutritious FutureLife®️ and PepsiCo products accessible within local communities. With committed partners like PepsiCo, Afrika Tikkun is actively working to reduce youth unemployment in South Africa and create positive, lasting change in underserved communities. #AfrikaTikkun #PepsiCoPreneurs #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #CradletoCareer

As our young people transition into adolescence, social integration, career guidance, and skills development become crucial for a sustainable future. Our Ignite Programme (ages 7–18) builds on the foundation of early childhood education by offering after-school support that fosters growth in education, technology, advocacy, and critical thinking. From numeracy and literacy to coding, creative arts, sports, and career guidance, we aim to equip our youth with the tools to succeed. With a 94% matric pass rate in 2023, we are immensely proud of our learners' dedication and hard work! Good luck to the Grade 12s that are stepping into their final chapters—the future is yours to seize! #AfrikaTikkun #IgniteProgramme #CradletoCareer #Matric2024 #FutureLeaders #GoodLuck

Celebrating 15 Years of KFC Add Hope! To mark this incredible 15-year milestone, KFC visited our centres in Alexandra and Braamfontein to witness firsthand the impact of their "Add Hope" initiative. For the past 11 years, KFC has been a steadfast partner of Afrika Tikkun, and their contributions through Add Hope have played a vital role in feeding and nurturing the young people at our centres. KFC team members engaged with our Bambanani young people through a variety of fun and meaningful activities. From creating art and garden therapy to outdoor play, story time, and assisting in the kitchen, the KFC team experienced the difference their support has made in these communities. Our partnership with KFC goes beyond just providing meals; it helps build hope, growth, and brighter futures for the next generation. Thank you, KFC, for your unwavering support and for continuing to inspire change through Add Hope! #PartnershipForChange #AfrikaTikkun #SocialImpact #KFCAddHope #CradletoCareer