Nurturing future leaders: WDB Trust expands youth empowerment across Southern Africa
Investing in skills, enterprise and leadership to advance South Africa’s and Africa’s future
As South Africa commemorates the heroic sacrifices of the youth of 1976, Women Business Development (WDB) Trust is heeding the call to equip a new generation of young people with the skills, enterprise support and leadership capabilities required to make a meaningful contribution to the economy and society, while reaffirming its commitment to sustainable youth development and lasting impact.
Through this commitment, WDBT continues to advance sustainable youth development and lasting impact. WDBT believes Youth Month is a national and continental reminder that young people must be positioned at the centre of inclusive growth. For organisations such as WDBT, this work is critical.
With high youth unemployment, digital exclusion and unequal access to opportunity continuing to challenge communities, targeted development interventions are essential to unlock potential and expand participation in the economy.
Through the WDBT Training Academy Programme (TAP), young people are gaining the digital skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world. Active in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the programme is creating pathways from training to employment and leadership.
Success stories include Tholakele Maphumulo, who progressed from (Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training student to being employed as a Data Officer in the organisation; while Anele Nxumalo and Seluleko Zungu advanced to being employed as ICT Facilitators in their communities; . Ndivhuwo Sekhwama, moved from being a learner in the programme to becoming a Computer Based Functional Literacy (CBFL) Facilitator, where she now helps others develop essential skills.
Beyond preparing young people for employment, WDBT also supports youth entrepreneurship through its microfinance offering, providing start-up loans to establish and grow small enterprises. One example is Nsuku Mahlahle, founder of Nkosi Day Care Centre, whose business has grown from a small community initiative into a sustainable enterprise creating jobs and expanding access to early childhood care. Nsuku is part of just 900 microfinance clients WDBT supports and her journey demonstrates how access to finance can enable young people to build sustainable livelihoods.
WDBT’s commitment to youth leadership extends beyond South Africa through the Zanele Mbeki Fellowship which continues to strengthen young African women leaders by nurturing confidence, feminist leadership, healing and policy influence. Fellows from Zambia, Zimbabwe, eSwatini and beyond are using the programme to transform personal growth into social and economic impact.
A WDB Trust spokesperson said: “Youth Month reminds us that the future of South Africa and Africa depends on how intentionally we invest in young people today. Our role is to ensure that young women and men are not only inspired, but equipped with the skills, resources, support and confidence to lead, earn and innovate. This is how we build resilient communities and inclusive economies.”
WDB remains committed to empowering youth with opportunity, dignity and purpose.
