YouthX by Nedbank has, over the past five years, become one of South Africa’s most impactful youth platforms. It has grown into a space where mentorship, financial support, and real opportunities intersect with culture and community. This year culminates in YX25 which is a youth festival at Constitution Hill that celebrates changemakers and crowns the 2025 YouthX Awards winner.
Nedbank’s YouthX has grown into such a powerful platform for young people – in your words, what is its core mission?
At its heart, YouthX exists to help young South Africans unlock their potential. Our core mission is to inspire and support youth not just with motivation, but with tools, mentorship, and resources to turn their dreams into reality. The initiative is about creating a credible platform that says to young people: we see you, we believe in you, and Nedbank is here to back you.
What role do you personally play in ensuring the success and impact of YouthX?
As the Head of Youth Strategy and Client Value Proposition, my role is to ensure YouthX delivers real value to young people. That means shaping initiatives that respond directly to youth needs and making sure the platform is more than just words – it’s about tangible action. With the YouthX Awards, I also collaborate with partners, mentors, and fellow judges to ensure every finalist has access to opportunities that help them #UnlockYourX and reach their full potential.
How does YouthX go beyond just being a campaign to actually create tangible opportunities for South African youth?
YouthX is built around practical action – funding, mentorship, and platforms that give South African youth visibility and real opportunities. Past winners have received up to R200 000 in funding, along with access to support systems to help them grow beyond that. The impact is long-term and visible, continuously proving that YouthX helps turn ideas into businesses, movements, and careers.
The platform has collaborated with various cultural leaders and changemakers — why is this approach important for connecting with young people?
Over the past 5 years, we’ve seen that young people want to learn from those they relate to – individuals who’ve walked the journey and succeeded. That’s why we collaborate with changemakers across fashion, entertainment, media, and social impact – to show that success has many faces and many paths.
It keeps YouthX culturally relevant and aspirational. For example, our YX Live sessions –masterclasses hosted at three top university campuses – gave students the chance to engage directly with the likes of Thebe Magugu, Ama Qamata, Tshepo Mohlala, and DJ Doowap.
This approach made the conversations real and relatable, while still inspiring youth to aim higher and see themselves in those success stories.
From your perspective, what are some of the standout success stories that showcase the real impact of YouthX?
One standout is Brandon Mashaba, our 2024 YouthX Awards winner, who built a coin-operated gaming business that now creates jobs and provides access to tech in local communities.
Another is Keitumetse Pule, who launched a legal tech platform called Legal Standpoint to make legal services more accessible.
These are just a few examples of how YouthX translates into lasting impact.
Looking ahead, how do you envision YouthX evolving to continue inspiring, equipping, and empowering the next generation?
YouthX will continue to grow alongside the needs of young South Africans. We’re exploring deeper integration of financial education, digital platforms, and sustainable pipelines for youth-led businesses. Most importantly, we’ll keep showing up where young people are – on campuses, online, and in communities – ensuring YouthX evolves with them, not apart from them.
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