March 7, 2025
Young Africa goes south
Young Africa goes south
March 7, 2025
Young Africa is making significant strides in expanding its youth empowerment mission to South Africa. CEO and co-founder Dorien Beurskens shares insights into the partnership with LEAP Institute, the objectives of her visit, and the broader vision for Young Africa in South Africa. We spoke with her just before her trip down south.
Q: Why does Young Africa International desire to expand to South Africa?
Dorien Beurskens: “South Africa is a massive opportunity for Young Africa. The country has economic potential, but youth unemployment remains a major issue. Did you know that it’s one of the world’s countries with the highest inequality? Seeing young people in townships struggling for livelihood, and knowing that the YA solution makes the difference, reinforces my determination to push forward. This is about more than just expansion—it’s about providing real solutions for young people in need.”
Q: What are the main goals of your visit to South Africa?
Dorien Beurskens: “My visit to Johannesburg is a crucial step in establishing Young Africa in South Africa, as outlined in our strategic plan for this year. Our goal is to start training youths in South Africa, and a key part of this is our partnership with LEAP Institute. I’ll be spending a full day with their team to discuss how we will shape our collaboration.
When I visited Cape Town in November last year, we signed a partnership agreement and explored their training centres in the township Crossroads. Now, I will be visiting their premises in Diepsloot, one of Johannesburg’s most underserved communities.
Beyond LEAP, I will also meet with legal teams to finalise Young Africa’s registration in South Africa, connect with the Dutch Embassy, and engage with potential donors and partners. We need to navigate the country’s regulations around Black Economic Empowerment and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certifications to ensure we can operate effectively.
Q: How does the partnership with LEAP Institute align with Young Africa’s mission, and what key initiatives will be implemented?
Dorien Beurskens: LEAP and Young Africa share the same mission of empowering young people. Their founder is an Ashoka fellow, just like me, and they operate in areas that align with our target groups. Our collaboration with LEAP is a natural fit. They provide high-quality secondary education with a strong focus on mathematics and science, while we specialise in skills training, entrepreneurship, and life skills education. By working together, we can offer a more holistic approach to youth empowerment, ensuring that even students who do not pursue university have viable career paths.
This partnership will see Young Africa establishing training units at LEAP’s campuses in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with plans to franchise them out. We’re also exploring mobile training solutions to reach underserved communities, making vocational education more accessible. LEAP benefits by integrating skills-based training into their model, while we gain from their strong community ties and established reputation. This partnership not only strengthens our impact in South Africa but also serves as a model for future expansion.
Q: What are the long-term goals for this partnership?
Dorien Beurskens: Our ultimate goal is to reach more youths, in a more diverse way than either one of us could do alone. LEAP provides an excellent springboard for Young Africa’s expansion, and we see this as a model we can replicate in other countries.
Q: Are there any upcoming events or activities planned as part of this partnership?
Dorien Beurskens: We are currently in the planning stages, but we are optimistic about rolling out our training programmes later this year or early 2026. Once the framework is in place, we’ll share updates on specific training opportunities and events.
Q: How can stakeholders and supporters get involved or benefit from this collaboration?
Dorien Beurskens: The scale and speed at which we can roll out this model will provide valuable insights for expansion into other regions. By partnering with local businesses, donors, and community organisations, we can create a sustainable framework for youth empowerment in South Africa. If you know or are a potential partner in South Africa, please reach out.
As Young Africa takes this bold step into South Africa, the partnership with LEAP Science and Maths Schools marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With a shared commitment to equipping young people with the tools they need for a better future, this collaboration has the potential to drive real change and create lasting impact.
