Every day at Mabili, we witness the incredible potential of young individuals. Bright, ambitious, and driven, they carry dreams of becoming engineers, developers, cybersecurity experts, and tech entrepreneurs. However, many of these gifted youths face a heart-wrenching challenge – they are unable to pursue their dreams due to financial constraints and limited access to opportunities. These remarkable individuals consistently score in the 80th and 90th percentile, outperforming 79% of the 40 million test-takers worldwide. Their academic brilliance is not just a number — it’s a beacon of what they could achieve with the right support.

Unfortunately, talent alone is not enough in a society plagued by economic inequality. In 2023, South Africa recorded the highest unemployment rate in Africa, with a staggering 35% of the workforce without jobs. For young people under the age of 24, the situation is even more dire, with an alarming 59.6% youth unemployment rate. These figures highlight a national crisis that disproportionately affects the youth — our future leaders. Even more shocking is that 10% of university graduates and 40% of matriculants remain unemployed. This reality underscores the urgent need for targeted and practical intervention.

The root cause? A critical gap between academic achievement and employability. Many young people lack access to market-relevant skills and reliable information about the fast-changing digital and tech-driven job market. Without these tools, their potential remains untapped, and their dreams remain deferred.