The Young Independents (TYI) is a platform created by the youth, for the youth.

So if you’re a young, inspiring South African that is constantly challenging and changing the game then this platform is for you.

Our content captures exciting youth driven initiatives locally and across the continent.

If it’s trending then you better know TYI is covering it.

We’ve got out pens on SA’s pulse.

We cover imminent socio- economic and political issues, present solutions to lifestyle and career dilemmas and update you on the latest indaba’s.

We’re constantly engaging with millennials not just in South Africa, but extended Africa too.

We had our official launch last year in Johannesburg at the Wanderers Club on the 27th of July, under the theme ‘A Productive Generation starts Today’.

With TBO Touch as the emcee for the night; it was flames.

 

 

The event in Johannesburg was attended by senior figures, public and private sector organisations.

They included keynote speaker, Malusi Gigaba (Former Minister of Home Affairs), Rochelle Josia (Chairperson of the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment), Charl Nel and Maggan Wenger of Capitec and Dr Lebogang Maroo, CEO of Love Life.

In Cape Town; the launch along with our Top 100 search took place at the glamorous, 15 on Orange Hotel.

With comedian, Kagiso Modise as emcee, Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and our Editor, Saajida Francis entertaining, motivating and informing a crowd of various youth organisations, NGO’s and young entrepreneurs.

The Top 100 search follows an extensive process which commenced in 2015 and results in thousands of young South African leaders being nominated in five categories: Innovators, trailblazers, influencers, healers and disruptors.

Each year we have the #MzansiTop100 search where we celebrate young inspiring South Africans making a difference.

Related Article: #Mzansi100Top2017: Public Protector supports TYI to encourage young leaders

“We have remarkable talent on our continent. Our youth, in particular, has displayed innovative leadership which is contributing towards narrowing the income inequality gap on the continent.

Through a platform like The Young Independents we can ensure youth in South Africa and across the continent are fully recognised and given a voice to articulate their own narrative as the continent’s powerful agents of political, social and economic transformation”, says Executive Chairman of Independent Media, Dr Iqbal Survé.

Independent Media’s Group Executive responsible for the Top 100 competition, Mike Ntsasa, congratulated the young people who made it to the Top 100 list, many of whom attended the event.

 

“Creating Africa’s largest youth platform is a vision we aim to realise, so that more young voices can speak their truth and encourage others to do the same.

We have the makings of something great – a multi-media platform with the power and potential to connect Africa’s youth across language barriers and economic, social and cultural borders.”

We recognize the greatness in the youth of South Africa and this is evident with our Mzansi Top 100.

Our Innovator Nwabisa Mayema had this to say:

“Dreaming and acting means that you have to be brave. By dreaming and acting, you have to make other people brave as well so that we can continue a circle of bravery.

We have to talk. We have to advocate for each other, we have to support each other. We can’t just do things in our corners, we must be heard, therefore platforms like TYI enables us to do that”.

Busisiwe Mkwebane applauded Independent Media for creating an opportunity, a platform for young South Africans like The Young Independents, in which unemployment rate are higher among persons between the ages of 15-35 years.

Her office has worked on a number of cases where young people have had businesses “strangled” by opportunists.

Where young people have been assisting the Public Protector office, saying that young people do indeed have a role in assisting her and her team.

To conclude, she quoted Marishane saying, “My ideal world would have limited economic inequality. Let us say the richest person in my world would not be a thousand times wealthier than the poorest person.”

The speeches given were motivational and inspiring and resonated well with the youth and that’s what The Young Independents are about.

We aspire to inspire and motivate the young people of Southern Africa and if you consider yourself as someone who wants to be a part of positive change then TYI is for you…

Stay tuned for details about our Launch of Mzansi 100 of 2017…

Categories: News