ACTIVATE! announces top ten projects

Chosen from 87 exceptional social development initiatives that are either already being implemented or are in the planning phases, the top ten were selected by more than 350 youth leaders from the ACTIVATE! network, potential funders and delegates from related social development agencies and organisations.

Examples of ingenuity

"All the projects on show represented incredibly inspired examples of ingenuity and problem-solving and delegates faced an extremely tough challenge to arrive at the final ten," said Chris Meintjes, CEO of ACTIVATE!. "The common thread that united these initiatives, however, was that they spoke to some of the most urgent issues facing communities such as improved learning, environmental degradation and HIV/AIDS to name but a few. They also indicated the extent to which the Activator network has its finger on the pulse of what the country's communities are looking for."

The top ten projects are:

• Activators for Environmental Education, founded by Matema Thosago, tackles the absence of adequate environmental strategies at a local and national level in South Africa by educating the community and equipping the youth with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will allow them to become advocates of sustaining the environment for future generations.
  
• The Greeninland Project, founded by Ubuntuvation Youth Organisation, tackles pollution, the country's growing carbon footprint and unemployment by encouraging sustainable, entrepreneurial activity focused on this issue.
  
• Condom Activists of South Africa (CASA), founded by Phumlani Mkhize and Zakhele Khambule, addresses the economic and social impact that the high incidence of HIV/AIDS and STIs amongst parents and economically active people has on South Africa.
  
• Five Star Sky, founded by Sydney Mathebula, tackles rural youth unemployment and the under-utilisation of astronomy as an asset. By tapping into this rich natural resource in rural areas as a business concept, it will provide training and employment for local youth while stimulating interest in astronomy.
  
• ACTIVATE! Youth Application, founded by Natachia Olivier and Nonhlanhla Zondi, is still in the planning phase but aims to ensure that Activators have access to relevant information and can update their social networks on one platform.
  
• Ifa Lemvelo, founded by Kopano Ntsoane and Mzwandile Msimang, educates no-fee government schools about the financial benefits of recycling used workbooks to raise additional funds whilst simultaneously creating awareness among learners about the environment.
  
• Family Maths, founded by Lemohang Modise, Thabiso Majoe, Princess Radebe, Sinikiwe Mqadi, Nkanyiso Mthembu, Nonkululeko Gwamanda and Delani Ngubo, is confronting the challenge of the lack of parental involvement and support in their children's education, particularly with regards to mathematics.
  
• Ikasi Youth - Everyday Heroes Club, founded by Nathan Roberts, addresses the negative impact on communities of poorly educated, under-stimulated and misguided high school youth. It is an extra-mural programme developed specifically with township youth in mind with workshop sessions focused on academic support, mentorship and personal leadership.
  
• BE28 Youth Movement, founded by Tshepang Mokgatla, is a self-empowerment programme that helps create habits of success in 28 days by getting the youth to do one thing consistently for 28 days that feels manageable and to encourage them to be consistent, resilient and motivated to succeed.
  
• Mobile Educational Bank (Edu-Bank), founded by Nonkululeko Hlongwane, focuses on a child's basic right to education. It is a mobile structure that houses and distributes educational resources. It re-aligns the educational system to include social development issues around education, poverty and employment, effectively merging academic and social education for better learning.