Services
Serving as a cornerstone for youth development, SAAYC facilitates and implements integrated youth development programmes through collaboration with strategic partners for the benefit of young people in Southern Africa
A Brief History
SAAYC is a registered non-profit youth organisation, governed by an independent board that is managed
and coordinated by a team of youth practitioners, led by the Executive Director.
The Southern African Association of Youth Clubs (SAAYC) is a registered youth development organisation, governed by an independent board that is managed and coordinated by a team of youth practitioners, led by the Executive Director. SAAYC provides training, mentorship and programme support to youth organisations, youth leaders, individuals, young professionals and youth workers.
Based in South Africa, the organisation has a national footprint, with its head-office in Gauteng (Randburg), and physical youth centres in Gauteng (Soweto, Ekurhuleni Municipality and Orange Farm) and the Free State (Qwa-qwa), with a growing presence into Southern Africa.
Established in 1937, SAAYC is a legacy brand with decades of experience and a rich history of positive change when it comes to the youth demographic in Southern Africa. We are a trusted name within the industry, and we have well established relationships with other organisations and partners who share our vision in contributing to positive socio-economic transformation through supporting the youth in Southern Africa. A key factor that sets us apart is the approach of allowing young people to determine the interventions, and the results.
OUR GOALS
SAAYC exists to promote positive transformation of youth in Southern Africa in a manner that facilitates the changing of the socio-economic environment for a better future for society as a whole.
We work closely with local youth organisations and young community leaders to influence positive thinking, provide opportunities to young people, educate the youth when it comes to both social and practical skills; and help young people to help challenge the odds.
By motivating, supporting and inspiring leadership behaviour in young people, SAAYC aims to develop the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow who will pay it forward and help uplift their peers and communities.
FOCUS AREAS
Community-Based Initiatives
SAAYC initiatives are aimed at uplifting the youth and the community through various projects, including collaborative projects with like-minded public and private sector partners.
Social Entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is about merging business objectives with positive social upliftment outcomes – i.e. doing good through business. SAAYC offers social entrepreneurship training, as well as contributes resources towards driving youth social entrepreneurship. This includes promoting robust research and discourse around social entrepreneurship, building local capacity and networking with both national and international affiliations.
Youth Development & Support
SAAYC provides a platform for cooperation, collaboration and informed discussions on issues facing the youth. We lead on initiatives that seek to promote basic human rights and address socio-economic inequalities affecting the youth, as well as support and participate in such campaigns undertaken by our stakeholders. SAAYC is committed to contribute to forward-thinking and solution-driven youth development agenda in the Southern African context.
Skills Development
SAAYC provides training and resources to strengthen the capacity of youth leaders to run sustainable clubs that can contribute to youth development, as well as national agenda objectives. We further provide training to help equip the youth with skills needed to participate and contribute to their own personal and economic development, which in turn, contributes to socio-economic development. This includes employable skills, youth volunteer and management skills, ICT skills, social entrepreneurship training; and more.
Mission
To facilitate and implement integrated youth development programmes through collaboration with strategic partners for the benefit of our members and young people in Southern Africa.
VISION
Young People Living their dreams
CREDO
A driving force for young pioneering spirit
Key programme objectives are:
To strengthen the capacity of Youth Clubs for them to actively run sustainable Clubs that can participate in national agendas;
To provide training that will equip youth clubs with skills to create an enabling environment for youth development in South Africa;
To increase youth participation in youth volunteering, accountability and volunteer management;
To promote young people’s participation and contribution towards a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth;
To increase SAAYC’s profile and visibility in Provinces.
Our Team
Board Members
