South Africa’s youth face countless economic, social and systemic challenges daily. So much so, that feeling defeated and hopeless is the reality for millions of young South Africans.  However, today we want to shift your focus from what’s not working to what is, by highlighting five youth-led businesses that are genuinely changing lives and empowering their communities.

Zlto App 

24-year-old Allan van der Meulen co-founded Zlto in 2016. The Zlto App provides unemployed youth an opportunity to make a difference in their community while simultaneously building their CV and earning points to pay for essential goods and services. Zlto members can use the points they’ve acquired at over 3000 stores nationwide including Shoprite and PEP. Members can use the app even if they don’t have data or airtime. To date, Zlto has over 85 000 members and over 2 million hours tracked by these members!

Book Ibhoni

Mpumi Mtintso discovered a gap Soweto’s tourism market in 2016. The 31-year-old founded a tourism company with a difference, which trades donated books for discounted bicycle tours in Orlando. Mpumi then donates the books to schools and libraries in his community. Book Ibhoni has been tremendously successful, and was part of the Top 10 Best Bicycle Operators in Soweto by TripAdvisor and listed on Airbnb Experiences. Although with Covid-19 business has slowed down significantly Mpumi has his sights on beginning a delivery company in Soweto.

The Fam

This is a platform that celebrates queer people, culture and individuality. Founded by Mandima Qunta, a 31-year-old entrepreneur based in Johannesburg; The Fam hosts events, brand activations and promotions. The Fam are responsible for co-creating the Le Grand Ball events in Joburg, and hosts a monthly talk show called Tint Talks which gives queer people a safe space to talk about anything they’d like.

Lorraine Khoza Foundation

The Lorraine Khoza Foundation provides support for victims and survivors of gender based violence, empowerment through skills development programs, and gender based violence prevention and intervention. Established by Lorraine Khoza in 2018 who is a gender based violence survivor herself, Lorraine decided to use her experience as ammunition to make a difference in the lives of women and children.

NueCleo

Founded by Cleo Johnson in 2017, NueCleo helps businesses in the hospitality industry thrive through marketing strategy and management, social media management and brand development. Cleo was part of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 list for 2021 as well as Mail and Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans list. Aside from her successful business, Cleo always prioritises giving back and has established her own feeding scheme called Adopt a Block which provides food weekly to people in Joburg. Cleo also summitted Mount Kilimanjaro for sanitary pad and sex education program Caring 4 Girls.