YouthX by Nedbank has officially crowned Nkosinathi Temba, founder of Thuto.io, as the 2025 YouthX Award Winner, marking the culmination of the fifth annual YouthX Awards at the YX25 Festival held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.
This year’s winner impressed judges with Thuto.io, an innovative real-time academic rewards platform that transforms learning into economic opportunity. By connecting students, parents, and teachers through a single digital ecosystem, Thuto.io rewards academic effort with Thuto Coins – a ZAR-pegged token designed to encourage better learning outcomes and financial empowerment.
“Winning the YouthX Award is proof that education and innovation can go hand in hand,” said Nkosinathi Temba. “With Thuto.io, we want to redefine how young South Africans see learning – not just as a requirement, but as a rewarding journey that can change their lives and communities.”
Now in its fifth year, YouthX continues to empower young South Africans through mentorship, funding, and access to tools that help them turn ambition into action. This milestone reaffirms Nedbank’s long-term commitment to supporting youth innovation and driving meaningful change across communities.
“The incredible talent and passion shown by these young entrepreneurs give us immense hope for the future of South Africa,” says John Makgato, Head of Youth Segment Strategy and Client Value Proposition at Nedbank.
“We are honoured to support them as they transform bold ideas into impactful ventures that uplift local communities.”
This year’s YouthX Awards finalists were selected from nearly 500 entries nationwide, representing diverse industries from technology and education to sustainability and community upliftment.
The top 10 innovators who made it to the finals included:
- Nkosinathi Temba | Founder of Thuto.io: A real-time academic rewards platform that drives improved learning outcomes.
- Abigail Larsen | Founder of Thallo: A social-impact platform that connects youth to causes through verified volunteerism.
- Bongiwe Mkhumbeni | Founder of FoodLoop: An AI-powered smart cane that enhances mobility for the visually impaired.
- Jabu Swartbooi | Founder of Navwok: A smart cane that integrates navigation and obstacle detection for blind users.
- Phuti Maraba | Founder of Munchiez: A campus food ordering app that empowers student entrepreneurs.
- Asisipho Mdaweni | Founder of ALTGNAT Green 3D Printing: An innovation of biodegradable water filters and recycled plastic products.
- Bonginkosi Mabaso | Founder of Ann-Connect (Nexa): A groundbreaking offline exam and learning platform designed for students in low-connectivity environments
- Tumelo Mokoena | Founder of SafeGuard Technologies: A drone-integrated safety platform that improves emergency responses.
- Rethabile Hlongoa | Founder of Retha’s Sweet Treat: A home-based bakery that fosters entrepreneurship by empowering the youth’s baking skills through development programmes.
- Sine Shabalala | Founder of Oneway Connect: An AI-driven recruitment platform that improves hiring processes for small businesses.
In third place was Bonginkosi Mabaso, followed by Sine Tshabalala in second – both celebrated for their remarkable contributions to youth innovation.
As part of their journey, finalists received mentorship, exposure, and funding, with R200,000 awarded to the overall winner, R110,000 to second place, and R65,000 to third place.
Apart from winners pocketing moola, DJs entertained fans and guests at the ceremonial event held at ConHill, Braamfontein this past Saturday.
Image supplied (Nkosinathi Temba, founder of Thuto.io –in a green cap- with other winners at the event held on Saturday).
