Mr Price Foundation sets sights on empowering 500 000 youth by 2035

IN A BOLD move to combat the alarming levels of youth unemployment in South Africa, the Mr Price Foundation has unveiled an ambitious new initiative aimed at economically empowering 500,000 young people by 2035.

- ASHLEY LECHMAN

This target is outlined in the Foundation’s newly released Integrated Impact Report, which highlights the urgent need to address the staggering 7.7 million young South Africans currently neither in employment, education, nor training.

Octavius Phukubye, the Executive Director of the Mr Price Foundation, emphasised that the Foundation's focused investment strategy—totaling R37 million—has been strategically directed toward education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, creating substantial pathways toward sustainable livelihoods.

“Unemployment is not just a social issue; it poses a systemic risk to South Africa’s future. Bridging the gap between unemployment and employability is our mission,” said Phukubye.