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About Us
About YOSA
YOSA was founded in 2015 out of collaborative effort between Astonishment Mapurisa and the Methodist Church of Southern Africa to tackle the challenges hindering many young South Africans from completing their education and taking their place as productive members of society.
YOSA represents a shift from traditional models that view young people as liabilities, to employing a Positive Youth Development approach to capture their talents and abilities and help them achieve their potential.
YOSA after-school activities inspire youth for:
- Academic success
- Arts and recreation
- Community involvement
- Cultural competency
- Life skills
- Positive life choices
- Positive core values and
- Positive sense of self.
About Astonishment
Growing up in extremely difficult circumstances was Astonishment's inspiration to help disadvantaged young people in South Africa to rise above the problems they face and make a positive contribution to their community.
The Anglo-American Chairman's Fund is credited for funding Astonishment's training in Social Entrepreneurship that resulted in this project. His long-established networks with the Methodist Church (local and International) and Qantas Airline crew provided further inspiration and funding; while FNZ (Previously Silica) has become the major YOSA project roll out partner.
Why we exist
Vision
Strategy
Purpose
We work to establish a socially cohesive society in which all young people succeed and actively participate in the economy.
Purpose
Strategy
Purpose
We grow the movement of ethical and moral young leaders who influence youth thriving in poverty to learn and partake in skills development by instilling in them vision, innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Strategy
Strategy
Strategy
We are building students' mental health and resilience—so that as they grow, they can adapt and handle life challenges through;
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
Adapted from Search Institute.
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Associate Professor of Social Work at University of the Witwatersrand
Garth Smith
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Executive Leader | Business Transformation |Technology | Financial Services
Susy James
Prof Thobeka S Nkomo
Brolin Castellino
Former Qantas Airways staff member who is a long-time friend of YOSA
Brolin Castellino
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Brolin Castellino
Qantas Airline Pilot and Fintech Entrepreneur
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Invest
Ntombi Mzalisi
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Jennifer van Oerle (Chairperson)
Governance, Risk and Compliance leadership- Financial Services Technology Expert
Mikateko Zonke
Mikateko Zonke
Mikateko Zonke
IT Audit and Risk Professional, FNZ SA (YOSA Funding Partner); Founder, Coach and Author.