We believe in
Empowering youth for positive change
At ACTIVATE!, we believe in empowering youth to become catalyst for positive change. Together, let’s activate change and ignite impact. Explore our impactful programmes and stories of transformation.
More than 5000 young people throughout South Africa have participated in ACTIVATE!’s leadership development programmes.
Know more
ACTIVATE! is a multi-sectoral youth development network with a national reach.
Our Mission
We aim to embrace and enhance Activators’ capacity to become champions of public innovation and to deepen and extend their influence within their chosen field of action, within their communities and across society through four pillars:
Expanding Reach
Building Social Solidarity
Deepening Impact
Activating Change
What we do
Our Programmes
Our work is based on the belief that if young people are provided with a provocative platform to meet, connect AND be inspired to actively contribute to the common good, develop their abilities and skillset, THEN they can be innovative and active citizens who can drive positive social, economic and political change for South Africa and the global good.
Network Support
Special Projects
Media Hub
Volunteer
Get involved by offering your time and skills to make a real difference on the ground or virtually.
Make a Donation
Your donation directly supports our campaigns, helping us drive change and empower communities.
Browse Campaigns
Explore causes that resonate with you and see how you can support impactful projects across various sectors.
Give
Contribute to a campaign
Be part of the change! Join our efforts by contributing to one of our ongoing campaigns aimed at creating lasting impact in communities across South Africa. Whether you want to support through donations, get hands-on as a volunteer, or explore different causes, we have options that make it easy for you to get involved.
Volunteer
Get involved by offering your time and skills to make a real difference on the ground or virtually.
Make a Donation
Your donation directly supports our campaigns, helping us drive change and empower communities.
Browse Campaigns
Explore causes that resonate with you and see how you can support impactful projects across various sectors.
Hear from our Network
Yolanda Mogano, Law, Leadership, and The Power of Being Open to Learn
In 2019, while navigating her first year of law school, Yolanda Mogona stepped into the Activate! Change Drivers network. What began as a friend’s referral…
Gauteng 2018 Activate Change Driver Sibongile Mongadi Recognised Among Top Winners at the Hollywood Foundation Gauteng Bambelela Business Awards
Gauteng 2018 Activate Change Driver and technology entrepreneur Sibongile Mongadi has been recognised among the Top 20 winners at the Hollywood Foundation Gauteng Bambelela Business…
Xolile Mkhabela on Ivota Lakho Eleyi Thulusi and Women’s Representation
Xolile Mkhabela, 2024 activator from Ward 20 in Umhlabuyalingana, KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhabela is a young person whose commitment to community development earned her the confidence of…
Qwabe Leads Through Service and Community Action
Menzi Michael Qwabe, a 2015 activator from KwaZulu-Natal, Umkhanyakude District, Umhlabuyalingana Ward 20. He is contesting in the upcoming local government elections for the first…
Growing Readers and Connecting Leaders
Italiah Mthethwa, a 2019 Activator from Elias Motsoaledi local municipality, whose passion lies in youth development, education, leadership, and African integration. She is a community…
Celebrating Women’s Excellence and Leadership: Lady Mariéme Jamme in the Spotlight
The South African government appointed technology leader and digital transformation advocate Lady Mariéme Jamme as the country's Special Envoy for Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)…
Why Climate Justice Begins with People
In 2025, Thabang Makgakwe dedicated his 67 minutes on Mandela Day to launching Energy Trade SA, a bold vision to bring affordable, sustainable energy to…
KZN 2019 ACTIVATE! Change Driver Ntwenhle Nkosingiphile Leads Mandela Day House Rebuild & Health Drive in Imbali
This Nelson Mandela Day, youth leadership turned 67 minutes into lasting change in Imbali Unit 18. Ntwenhle Nkosingiphile, a 2019 ACTIVATE! Change Driver from KwaZulu-Natal,…
Ramoloti is helping Moruleng’s children find purpose through the Arts
For many, royalty exists at a distance, admired from afar. But for a group of young creatives in Moruleng, their songs, poems, paintings and performances…
In Komga, Amanda Dumisa Is Turning Mandela Day Into Everyday Work
The small office in front of her house was not ready yet, so people came inside. Furniture had to share space with wet clothes, hungry…
Become an Activator today
An Activator is an active young person who has gone through the ACD programme and is part of a network of young change drivers who are passionate about community development. The training of Activators began in 2012: more than 5 000 young people have undergone the training in all nine provinces of South Africa. As both individuals and networks, Activators have strongly influenced policy platforms and forums and decision-making structures.
Join our NETWORK.
Collaborate, Volunteer, Donate, Advocate.
Get Started Today.
CAPE TOWN
communications@activateleadership.co.za
+27 87 820 4873
Suite 6, Building 6, The Waverly, Wyecroft Road, Mowbray, Cape Town
JOHANNESBURG
communications@activateleadership.co.za
+27 87 820 4874
Kopano on Empire, 30 Wellington Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193