Education South Africa Project #12421

Empower youth through education in S.A

by IkamvaYouth

Project Report | Jul 15, 2026
IkamvaYouth Mid Year Review

By Damien Buckton | Fundraising Manager

Digital Literacy Sessions in place at IkamvaYouth

During the Fisrt half of 2026 IkamvaYouth's programme implementation saw exciting developments across the country. Ikamva Youth’s branches continued to deliver structured academic support to learners across Grades 8–12 during the first two terms, ensuring stable learner engagement, targeted tutoring, and post-school preparation initiatives.

March Holiday Programme
The March holiday programme played a significant role in maintaining momentum during the academic year, combining academic interventions with psychosocial support, life skills development, mentorship, and career guidance. These interventions provided learners with opportunities to strengthen their academic foundations while also supporting their personal development and well-being. The holiday programme was attended by all the grade 11 and 12 learners for a week,
impacting 148 learners in Nyanga and 180 learners in Makhaza.

Particular emphasis was placed on preparing Grade 12 learners for the demands of the matric year. Targeted examination preparation and revision sessions were implemented ahead of the Term 2 assessment period to improve learner confidence, reinforce key concepts, and positively influence academic outcomes. In addition, learners received support to begin their tertiary and bursary applications early, ensuring they were better positioned to access post-school opportunities and
avoid the challenges associated with late applications. Overall, the period reinforced the value of proactive planning, early intervention, and holistic support in improving learner preparedness, strengthening resilience, and enabling successful
transitions both within and beyond the school environment.

New Programme Collaborations

The South African Immunology Society

The South African Immunology Society (SAIS) aims to advance basic, applied, and translational
immunology research nationally, regionally, and through international collaborations. By connecting
researchers and clinicians across disciplines including infectious diseases, primary immunodeficiency,
allergy, rheumatology, transplantation, reproductive immunology, and veterinary medicine, SAIS
promotes knowledge sharing and scientific advancement. Through this collaboration, 200 learners
from the Nyanga Branch with an interest in STEM careers were exposed to opportunities within the
field of immunology and scientific research, broadening their understanding of potential career
pathways and inspiring greater interest in science-related professions.

EH!Woza Regional Collaboration

This partnership was previously established with the Makhaza Branch and has recently been
expanded to include the Nyanga Branch. Through this collaboration, learners have access to
workshops focused on health and life skills, as well as career guidance. The partnership aligns with
our standard operating procedures and holistic approach to learner development, contributing
meaningfully to our mission of providing beneficiaries with comprehensive support that extends
beyond academic achievement.

Technovation Girls

The Technovation 2025/26 programme equipped young people with future-focused skills in coding,
artificial intelligence, application development, and entrepreneurship through a six-month,
project-based learning experience. Learners worked in teams to identify real-world challenges
affecting their communities and developed technology-driven solutions, culminating in the creation
of business plans and pitches for submission to the global Technovation competition.
The programme reached 147 female learners across IkamvaYouth branches nationally, including
participants from the Khayelitsha and Nyanga branches. In addition the programme also engaged 20
mentors across 10 branches. Through their participation, learners strengthened their digital literacy,
critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skills, while mentors enhanced
their technical expertise and facilitation capacity. The programme contributed significantly to
IkamvaYouth's objective of equipping young women from underserved communities with the skills,
confidence, and exposure needed to participate meaningfully in an increasingly digital economy.

Learn 2 Earn| Accenutre - Computer literacy programme

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the growing integration of technology
across all sectors, IkamvaYouth has prioritised equipping learners with essential digital skills for the
future. In March 2026, the organisation launched a computer literacy programme in Khayelitsha and
Nyanga Branch for 40 Grade 10 and 11 learners, combining theoretical knowledge with practical
application. As part of the programme, learners completed an introductory course exploring the evolution of the
digital world, emerging technologies, and the increasing role of AI in society. They also developed
practical skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enabling them to create documents,
analyse data, and present information effectively.

The reporting period demonstrated the continued relevance and adaptability of the programme in responding to the evolving needs of learners and the communities we serve. Despite changes in the educational landscape and competing demands on learners' time, strong stakeholder relationships and a commitment to holistic support enabled the branches to maintain learner engagement and achieve positive outcomes. Increased enrollment, strong academic performance, the addition of new partnerships, and the introduction of future-focused initiatives such as computer literacy and technology programmes reflect both the credibility and growing impact of IkamvaYouth. Moving forward, the organisation remains committed to strengthening learner support, expanding access to opportunities, and equipping young people with the academic, personal, and digital skills needed to succeed beyond school.

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Mar 19, 2026
IkamvaYouth 2026 Quarter 1 Report: IkamvaYouth Matrics Excel with Record Tertiary Eligibility and 10

By Damien Buckton | Fundraising Manager

Learners from Mahikeng celebrating Matric Results

As South Africa celebrates a historic national matric pass rate aggregate of 88%, IkamvaYouth is proud to announce that its Class of 2025 has significantly outperformed the national average. Multiple IkamvaYouth branches achieved a perfect 100% pass rate, with university eligibility exceeding the national average. These results underscore the effectiveness of IkamvaYouth’s neer-peer tutoring programme in bridging the gap between lower quintile schools and higher education access.

The organisation remains a hallmark of education excellence, and this year, The KwaZulu-Natal region led the organisation’s national performance with a flawless 100% total pass rate. Most notably, the region achieved a 93% tertiary eligibility rate. This regional success was mirrored in the Western Cape, where the collective achieved a 92% total pass rate. Of those, 85% of learners qualified for access to tertiary education,

“Having faced systemic hurdles, they have emerged with results that are nothing short of extraordinary. From the Joza branch in the Eastern Cape to our 100% pass rate branches in Gauteng and the Western Cape, these learners have shown that grit, combined with a safe space to learn, creates a pathway to a dignified livelihood. We are incredibly proud to walk this journey side-by-side with them as they enter their next chapter.” — Hope Chidawanyika, CEO of IkamvaYouth.

In Gauteng, the regional performance reached a record peak with a 92% total pass rate. The region effectively bridged the inequality gap, with 84% of its learners attaining tertiary eligibility.

The Eastern Cape regional cohort achieved a stellar 95% total pass rate, with 80% of learners eligible for post-school education. Meanwhile, the North West region maintained a strong 80% total pass rate, ensuring that 64% of its learners have secured eligibility for post-school opportunities.

“These results are a testament to the power of our ‘pay-it-forward’ model. More than just an academic victory, this success belongs to the learners, volunteers, teachers, parents and their respective communities, many of whom were once Ikamvanites themselves. By returning to their branches to support the next generation, they are proving that sustainable change is driven from within the community. We are not just producing matriculants; we are cultivating a culture of active citizenship and collective success.” — Hope Chidawanyika, CEO of IkamvaYouth.

This means Matrics supported by IkamvaYouth achieved an overall 91% pass rate, of those 81% are eligible for access to Tertiary Education.

By ensuring that 8 out of 10 Ikamvanites across South Africa are now eligible for higher education, IkamvaYouth continues to build a sustainable pipeline out of poverty. The organisation invites the public and corporate partners to join this mission as the Class of 2026 begins its journey toward academic excellence.

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Nov 18, 2025
IkamvaYouth 2024 Annual Report

By Damien Buckton | Fundraising Officer

2024 was a year of significant growth and impact for IkamvaYouth as we celebrated our 21st anniversary. This milestone underscores the enduring power of our mission to provide quality education and support to South Africa's youth. We remain committed to our vision of a world where young people have the opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods.

At the heart of our success lies the dedication and resilience of our learners, the support of our staff, Board members (past and present) and volunteers, and the invaluable partnerships we have forged with our donors and stakeholders. Thank you all. A special mention needs to go out to Joy Olivier and Makhosi Gogwana who established IkamvaYouth 21 years ago. From a bold idea to make a difference, an organisation with 15 branches in multiple provinces across South Africa was born and continues to leave an indelible mark on the education and youth development landscape in South Africa.

This year, we supported 4,022 learners nationally across our 15 branches, providing them with the quality support they need to achieve their potential. The IkamvaYouth Matric Class of 2024 achieved a remarkable 93% pass rate, a testament to the
effectiveness of our programme and the hard work of our learners. We are particularly proud that 85% of our learners achieved either a bachelor's pass or a diploma pass, ensuring their eligibility for higher education. This success reflects our commitment to quality education and our focus on preparing our learners for future success.

We are continuously exploring innovative ways to enhance our programmes and better serve our learners. I would like to thank each and every one of our partners who supported us through shared learnings, workshops and training, enriching our programmes for our learners.

As we move forward, IkamvaYouth will continue to prioritise innovation, adapt to the evolving needs of our learners, and cultivate strategic partnerships to maximise our impact. 2024 saw us embarking on these sorts of impactful partnerships. We partnered with Absa as their implementing partner for the Absa Consumer Education Training programme in the Eastern Cape, equipping young people with essential financial literacy skills. We also partnered with the GIBS Spirit of Youth
Programme which supported 160 learners with leadership development. Both of these programmes were a great success.

Furthermore, our passion for strengthening the After-School Sector continues to grow. Through our Community Collaboration Programme, we partnered with 18 organisations, leveraging the power of the IkamvaYouth model to support an additional 5,000+ learners. This collaborative approach demonstrates the transformative impact that can
be achieved through collective action.

Financially, 2024 presented significant challenges. The conclusion of the hugely successful Shell programme led to an unexpected revenue drop of R5 million, a gap that proved difficult to fill despite our best efforts to recalibrate our budget and operations as well as sourcing new revenue streams. These experiences underscore the importance of sustainability,
adaptability, and resilience in a challenging economic climate. We remain deeply grateful to Shell for their partnership over the past five years, which supported nearly 5,000 rural learners across 25 schools in
four provinces.

As we move forward, we will continue to seek innovative solutions, adapt to the evolving needs of our learners, and
strengthen our partnerships to ensure that IkamvaYouth remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for young people around the country.

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Attachments:

IkamvaYouth_Annual_Report_2024_2compressed.pdf (PDF)

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