Building a Self-Sustaining Community: One Product at a time

Our community in Pretoria North continues to depend heavily on large retail chains and external suppliers that extract value without reinvesting back into the areas they serve. This dependency drains capital from the township and prevents true economic ownership. As a result, local young people face limited access to employment, business opportunities, and the resources needed to participate meaningfully in the economy.

Without local products and local supply chains, we remain consumers in an economy where very little is created within our own community. This lack of home-grown industry holds back innovation, limits entrepreneurship and prevents the development of essential skills that could build long-term independence. The result is a cycle where youth must leave the township to find opportunity, instead of having opportunity created within the community.

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A community warehouse where youth are actively participating in product branding, packaging & distribution.

Understanding Youth Development and Empowerment

Youth development encompasses a range of activities aimed at fostering the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth of young people. Empowerment, on the other hand, involves equipping youth with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to take control of their lives and make positive contributions to society.