Latests stats show a decrease in youth employment

“Our work spans several communities, including Gugulethu, Nyanga, Philippi, Khayelitsha, Delft, Langa and Bonteheuwel. These are areas where opportunities are scarce, but potential is abundant,” she said.

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Ms Bagley said greater collaboration was needed between civil society, government, and business to address youth unemployment.

“Sadly, we have seen youth unemployment remain incredibly high, and in many ways, it feels as though it is worsening. Young people are desperate for opportunities, but the system is simply not set up to absorb them fast enough.

“That said, we do believe that programmes like ours — when properly supported — do make a difference. Every year, we see lives changed. But the scale of the problem requires far greater collaboration,” she said.

The foundation hosted a Youth Day showcase in Gugulethu, celebrating the talent, strength, and spirit of the youth through performance and storytelling. Her message to the youth: “Keep showing up for yourself. We believe in you. You are powerful beyond measure. Your circumstances do not define you.”

The Salt River-based Lighthouse Orphanage aims to protect youth and parents from unsafe living conditions and provide advocacy work for the youth and parents to know their rights. Founder, Shariefa Job, has been running her non-profit for more than five years but has been working in the community for more than 20 years.

“When women have gone through abuse, we provide support to find out if they have filed the necessary police documents like the protection order,” she said.