THE NEDBANK YouthX Summit second edition wrapped up in style this past weekend at the rainy Victory Yard, Jozi.
Four young changemakers received awards and life-changing prizes such as over R300 000 worth of prizes including R50 000 cash, a Huawei technology bundle, as well as a mentorship, learning or networking opportunity with Nedbank.
The year-long campaign saw four winners chosen from 12 participants, namely Kiara Maharaj (Arts and Culture); Ziyanda Dludla (Social Good and Sustainability); Yanga Ngcayisa (Sport and Entertainment) and Lesego Finger (Tech and Innovation).
Social Good and Sustainability award and Changemaker of the Year Award, Dludla said,“I am thrilled to be part of the list of winners tonight and to be named Changemaker of the Year!
I want to thank Nedbank for creating this movement and really giving young people the opportunity to shine. I’m also grateful to the 2022 Changemakers who shared such priceless advice with us during their masterclasses and panel discussion throughout the campaign. There aren’t many opportunities for the youth to truly follow their dreams or express themselves and that is why when I heard about YouthX and the awards, I knew that this was my opportunity to share my business ideas, with hopes to win and get my business to the next level.
I am looking forward to my next chapter and encourage other young people to make use of this movement, you really have nothing to lose.”
Candidates were tasked with being innovative and creative and come up with ideas that could work in the real world and uplift their communities.
Entries were judged with a percentile weighting based on creativity (40%), innovation (40%) and community upliftment (20%).
Nedbank’s Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Khensani Nobanda, said, “Firstly congratulations to all our winners tonight. The judges had a tough time but, in the end, candidates who entered the best work were chosen.
With YouthX now in its second year, we have seen the positive change that this movement has made in the lives of last year’s winners, to help them kick-start and advance their entrepreneurial journeys.
One of these winners is Keitumetse Pule, whom we have partnered with this year as one of our Tech and Innovation Changemakers. I would like to thank everyone involved in this project and say a special thank you to our 2022 Changemakers for taking on this journey with us and devoting themselves to this cause,” says Nobanda.
Guests enjoyed performances from various musicians, a sip-and-paint session in the courtyard, gaming activities from Goliath Gaming and YouthX cocktails created by one of the Arts and Culture YouthX Changemakers, Mmisology.
Image (Some of the winners at the Nedbank YouthX Summit final leg, held at Victory Yard, Lorentzville- Jozi).
