Author: Puluko Graham Nkiwane

Midrand, South Africa – April 2025

SayPro (Southern Africa Youth Project) is proud to announce that it will be hosting 50 students from Tshwane South TVET College as part of the Digital Skills Learnership Programme. The programme focuses on three high-demand technology areas: Cloud Computing, Data Analysis, and Cybersecurity.

The initiative forms part of SayPro’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth through practical skills development and work-integrated learning experiences. These 50 learners will be exposed to real-world projects, mentorship from experienced professionals, and hands-on training aimed at equipping them for the ever-evolving digital economy.

“At SayPro, we believe in creating spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive in the workplace,” said Puluko Graham Nkiwane, Chief Marketing Officer at SayPro. “Hosting this cohort from Tshwane South TVET College allows us to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world digital experience.”

Programme Highlights:

• Cloud Computing: Learners will explore the fundamentals of cloud infrastructure, services like AWS and Azure, and how to deploy secure, scalable solutions.
• Data Analysis: Training will include data visualization, Excel, SQL, and Python, giving students the ability to collect, process, and interpret data.
• Cybersecurity: Students will be introduced to ethical hacking, system vulnerabilities, and techniques to safeguard digital assets.

The learnership will run over a few months, during which SayPro will not only provide technical training but also incorporate soft skills development, career guidance, and exposure to professional workplace culture.

This collaboration is a strong example of how TVET colleges and youth-focused organisations like SayPro can partner to shape a future-ready workforce for South Africa and beyond.

For more information or partnership opportunities, please contact info@saypro.online.

Good day, Stakeholders,

We hope this message finds you well.

SayPro would like to inform you that the Capacity Building Training for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) is still scheduled to proceed as planned. 

We are currently in the process of finalizing the new date and logistical arrangements to ensure the training is delivered effectively and meets the needs of all participants. We remain committed to providing a valuable and impactful training experience that supports the growth and sustainability of NGOs and NPOs.

We will communicate the updated training date and all relevant details to you as soon as they are confirmed. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.

Kind regards,

My message shall end here.

Puluko Nkiwane| Chief Marketing Royalty | SayPro

The SayPro ClimateGuard: Youth Action for a Sustainable Future project will primarily benefit youth (ages 15–35) from underserved and climate-vulnerable communities in Southern Africa, particularly in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.

These communities often face the most significant impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and food insecurity, but lack access to the resources, education, and opportunities to lead sustainable practices and adaptation strategies.

Additionally, the project will focus on empowering women, girls, and marginalized groups by providing them with leadership roles in climate action, ensuring that their voices are heard in both community and policy-level solutions.

This project will foster youth leadership, climate resilience, and sustainable practices, benefiting over 10,000 individuals through education, innovation, and community action.

Let me know if you want to refine this based on a specific community focus!

✅ Support Received & Results Achieved

SayPro ClimateGuard has received internal institutional backing from SayPro through strategic alignment, operational resources, and human capital support. Key SayPro departments—including Research, Operations, Finance, Technology, and Marketing—have committed to supporting the project’s pilot phase.

So far, the project has:

• Engaged over 150 youth in climate awareness workshops and eco-activism dialogues in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
• Launched a community cleanup and tree planting initiative in collaboration with local schools and ward councillors.
• Developed an environmental education toolkit, currently being piloted in 3 schools.
• Formed partnerships with 2 local environmental NGOs and a solar tech startup to support training and demonstrations.
• Created digital content reaching 5,000+ users across SayPro’s platforms, amplifying climate awareness.

These early results demonstrate the project’s momentum and potential for scale with further support.

The solution proposed by SayPro ClimateGuard: Youth Action for a Sustainable Future is to empower youth to lead community-driven climate action by providing them with the knowledge, tools, and platforms needed to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.

🌿 Key Solutions Include:

• Capacity Building & Education: Train youth and communities on climate science, environmental sustainability, and adaptation strategies through workshops, eco-schools programmes, and public campaigns.
• Youth-Led Innovation: Support green entrepreneurship, climate-tech solutions, and community-based projects that reduce carbon emissions and enhance ecosystem resilience.
• Community Engagement: Promote grassroots awareness and participation in sustainable practices such as renewable energy use, waste reduction, and urban greening.
• Policy Advocacy: Engage youth in influencing environmental policies by organizing dialogues and submitting evidence-based recommendations to local government.
• Ethical Climate Justice: Ensure that climate action is inclusive, just, and considers the needs of vulnerable groups, especially women, girls, and people with disabilities.

In short, the project offers a youth-powered, community-centered approach to tackling climate change and building a sustainable, equitable future.

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Many communities, especially in vulnerable and underserved areas of Southern Africa, face increasing threats from climate change—including extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, food insecurity, and poor access to sustainable energy. Despite being the most affected, young people often lack the resources, platforms, and support to participate meaningfully in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

There is also a significant gap in environmental education, community awareness, and local innovation to tackle climate-related challenges. In addition, ethical climate justice and inclusive approaches that center youth, women, and marginalized groups are often overlooked in national and local strategies.

This project aims to empower youth to become climate leaders, create localized solutions, and strengthen community resilience while promoting sustainability, justice, and intergenerational responsibility.

SayPro ClimateGuard: Youth Action for a Sustainable Future is a youth-led initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience across vulnerable communities in Southern Africa. The project empowers young people to lead climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts through renewable energy education, eco-innovation, and public awareness. It focuses on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and advocating for climate justice and intergenerational equity. Key activities include community workshops, school-based eco-programmes, green entrepreneurship support, and local policy engagement. By integrating research, technology, and youth leadership, SayPro ClimateGuard envisions a low-carbon, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

Project Summary:
SayPro ClimateGuard is a youth-led climate action initiative by the South African Youth Project (SayPro), designed to address the urgent need for environmental sustainability and climate resilience across communities in Southern Africa. The project will empower young people to lead the charge in climate change mitigation and adaptation through education, innovation, community action, and policy advocacy.

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🔍 Project Objectives:

1. Promote Climate Change Mitigation:
   Implement grassroots interventions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable energy adoption, reforestation, and sustainable waste management.
2. Strengthen Climate Adaptation Strategies:
   Enhance the capacity of local communities—especially youth and marginalized groups—to respond to climate risks such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves by strengthening ecosystem resilience and adaptive infrastructures.
3. Advance Environmental Literacy:
   Conduct educational campaigns and training workshops that raise public awareness of climate change, sustainability, and climate justice, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.
4. Encourage Youth Innovation and Green Entrepreneurship:
   Support climate-tech startups, eco-innovation labs, and youth-driven green enterprises focused on circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and energy efficiency.
5. Promote Ethical Climate Action:
   Uphold the values of equity, sustainability, solidarity, and intergenerational justice by integrating climate justice principles in all project activities.

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📍 Target Areas:

The project will be implemented in urban, peri-urban, and rural communities across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal, with a focus on high-risk, underserved, and climate-vulnerable zones.

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👥 Target Beneficiaries:

• Youth (aged 15–35), especially from marginalized and underserved communities
• Women and girls affected by environmental injustices
• Local community leaders, schools, and grassroots organizations
• Public institutions and decision-makers through advocacy and research

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🛠️ Key Activities:

• Community Climate Workshops: Training youth and local leaders in climate mitigation, sustainable living, and environmental monitoring.
• Renewable Energy Demos: Solar tech awareness, clean energy pilots, and climate innovation showcases.
• Eco-Schools Campaigns: Curriculum-integrated school programmes promoting eco-consciousness among learners.
• Green Jobs Incubator: Support for youth-led green startups and entrepreneurship bootcamps.
• Policy Dialogue Forums: Engage with government, civil society, and youth groups on climate justice and policy transformation.
• Data-Driven Impact Monitoring: Research and reporting on environmental challenges and solutions.

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📈 Expected Outcomes:

• Increased youth capacity in climate science and sustainable development.
• Measurable reduction in community carbon footprints.
• Enhanced awareness and behavioral change in 1,000+ community members.
• New partnerships formed between youth groups, local authorities, and climate agencies.
• Policy recommendations generated and submitted to local government bodies.

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⏳ Project Duration:

12 months (with potential for scaling and long-term institutional integration)

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💰 Funding Requirements:

The project seeks funding and in-kind support for:

• Climate education materials and facilitators
• Tech tools and equipment for renewable energy demos
• Stipends for youth researchers and coordinators
• Green innovation seed grants
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting tools
• Communications and media campaigns

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📌 Conclusion:

SayPro ClimateGuard is more than a project—it’s a youth-driven movement for environmental justice, community resilience, and a sustainable African future. By investing in the power of young people, we’re not just responding to the climate crisis—we’re transforming it into an opportunity for innovation, inclusion, and impact.

1. SayPro Human Capital Officer – Sinentlantal Mabusela

Sinentlantal ensures the recruitment, development, and wellbeing of youth volunteers and staff involved in the project. She leads capacity-building initiatives, supports youth leadership growth, and promotes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities within the project team.

2. SayPro Chief Operations Officer – Clifford Legodi

Clifford oversees the day-to-day implementation of project activities, ensuring that all logistics, timelines, and resources are efficiently managed. He ensures synergy across departments and keeps the operational wheels of the project turning smoothly.

3. SayPro Chief Technology Officer – Moses Mnisi

Moses leads the integration of climate-smart technology and digital tools into the project. This includes developing eco-innovation platforms, data tracking systems, and digital learning content to enhance sustainability efforts and amplify youth-driven climate tech.

4. SayPro Chief Research Officer – Patricia Tsebe

Patricia drives evidence-based project design and monitoring through in-depth research on climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, and youth-led environmental impact. She ensures that the project is backed by credible data and global best practices.

5. SayPro Chief Learning, Monitoring Officer – Tsakani Rikhotso

Tsakani is responsible for monitoring and evaluating project outcomes, gathering feedback, and turning insights into improved strategies. She ensures continuous learning, documents success stories, and tracks both qualitative and quantitative impact.

6. SayPro Chief Finance Officer – Keamogetswe Toka

Keamogetswe manages project budgeting, financial reporting, and accountability processes. She ensures that resources are used transparently and effectively to support youth-led environmental actions and long-term project sustainability.

7. SayPro Chief Legal Officer – Neftaly Malatjie

Neftaly ensures the project complies with environmental laws, data protection, and youth safety regulations. He oversees all legal agreements, community MOUs, and ensures ethical climate justice standards are upheld throughout project implementation.

8. SayPro Chief Strategic Partnership Officer – Nancy Mdaka

Nancy cultivates partnerships with government agencies, environmental NGOs, schools, funders, and global climate networks. She ensures strategic alliances are aligned with the project’s goals and that youth voices are amplified in national and international forums.

9. SayPro Chief Development Officer – Regaugetswe Netshiozwe

Regaugetswe leads the resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding opportunities, proposal development, and donor engagement. She ensures that the project has sustainable financial support and access to grants for long-term impact.

10. SayPro Chief Marketing Officer – Puluko Nkiwane

Puluko drives all branding, advocacy, and communication efforts. He ensures the visibility of youth climate actions through powerful storytelling, social media campaigns, and multi-channel marketing to inspire broader community involvement and policy attention.

11. SayPro Chancellor Officer – Jeffery Montapina

Jeffery provides overall strategic direction, governance, and leadership oversight. He ensures the project reflects SayPro’s mission and values, mentors youth leaders, and advocates for national policy changes that prioritize youth-led climate action.

 

Neftaly Malatjie, born in 1991 in the rural community of Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, South Africa, is a dedicated social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to youth development and community empowerment. His journey into social development began at the age of 11 when he worked with AKANI, a childcare and support group for children.

In 2005, at just 14 years old, Neftaly founded Diepsloot Youth Projects (DYP) in the impoverished area of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg. Utilizing his savings from part-time jobs, he aimed to address the challenges faced by local youth. DYP focuses on income-generating programs that enable young people to engage in business opportunities, providing training in entrepreneurship, business skills, computer literacy, and life skills. The organization has positively impacted over 3,000 young individuals, helping many secure employment or start their own businesses.

Neftaly’s dedication and innovative approach to social entrepreneurship have earned him recognition, including being named a finalist for the Anzisha Prize in 2013.  In the same year, he received a R200,000 award from the Rand Water Foundation to support his initiatives.

Building on his passion for creating solutions, Neftaly founded SayPro  in 2011. SayPro is a corporate business offering a range of solutions for corporate businesses, government departments, non-profit organizations, individuals, and communities. Under his leadership, SayPro has grown to serve over 100,000 people daily, providing services such as digital marketing, job placement, and skills development.

Neftaly’s work exemplifies the impact of social entrepreneurship in addressing community challenges and empowering youth. His initiatives continue to inspire and create opportunities for many in South Africa and beyond

For a more personal insight into Neftaly’s journey and vision, you can watch his 2013 Anzisha Prize finalist interview: