Tag: August
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Neftaly Charity August 2020 SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP Report by Neftaly Chief Development
SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP
Progress Report – August 2020
Prepared by: Chief Development Officer, Neftaly
Introduction
As South Africa faced the ongoing social and economic disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership between Neftaly (South African Youth Project) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) emerged as a model of agile, community-centered development.
August 2020 marked a critical milestone in our joint efforts to empower vulnerable youth, address pandemic-related challenges, and support resilience in underserved communities. This report outlines key interventions, achievements, and strategic direction between May and August 2020 under the Neftaly–DBSA collaboration.
Strategic Goals of the Partnership
The Neftaly–DBSA partnership in 2020 was realigned to respond directly to the pandemic while still addressing the long-term vision of:
- Youth empowerment through training and employment pathways
- Entrepreneurial development and access to economic opportunities
- Infrastructure literacy and civic engagement
- COVID-19 relief, digital learning, and community recovery support
Key Activities and Results (May – August 2020)
1. Remote Learning & Digital Skills Development
- Launched mobile-accessible learning platforms offering free online courses in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and financial literacy.
- Trained over 3,200 youth, with 68% of participants completing at least one course module.
- Distributed data vouchers to 550 rural-based learners with limited internet access.
2. COVID-19 Community Response and Relief
- Partnered with local municipalities and volunteers to deliver food parcels, PPE kits, and hygiene packs to over 1,500 households.
- Neftaly youth volunteers supported COVID-19 awareness campaigns using local languages via social media, SMS, and radio.
3. Entrepreneur Support & Business Continuity
- Facilitated virtual entrepreneurship workshops, supporting 89 youth-owned businesses to pivot operations during lockdown.
- Provided mentorship and basic funding guidance to small business owners affected by market closures and supply chain disruptions.
4. Virtual Civic Engagement and Development Awareness
- Hosted live virtual dialogues on infrastructure development, youth participation in governance, and sustainable recovery planning.
- Reached more than 700 youth participants, encouraging civic responsibility and feedback into local planning processes.
Impact Overview
Key Indicator May–August 2020 Outcome Youth Trained via e-Learning 3,200+ Households Reached with Relief Support 1,500 Youth-Led Enterprises Supported 89 Youth Engaged in Virtual Dialogues 700+ Digital Access (Data Vouchers Provided) 550+
Challenges and Mitigation Efforts
1. Digital Divide:
Access to devices and stable internet connections remained a key barrier, especially in remote communities.
Mitigation: Provided data packages and began piloting WhatsApp-based microlearning for low-data environments.2. Mental Health & Isolation:
Youth expressed increased anxiety and uncertainty during the lockdown period.
Mitigation: Integrated mental wellness modules into training content and referred high-risk cases to community counselors.3. Business Resilience:
Many youth-owned microenterprises lacked contingency plans or digital tools.
Mitigation: Business resilience training was introduced to help entrepreneurs adapt quickly.
Lessons Learned
- Flexibility in programme design is critical in times of crisis.
- Strong partnerships with local leaders and municipalities enhance last-mile delivery.
- Investing in youth-led response models builds leadership and community trust.
- Digital innovation is essential, but must be paired with inclusive strategies to reach all.
Recommendations for the Next Quarter
- Scale WhatsApp-based learning to improve reach in low-bandwidth areas.
- Deepen mentorship programmes to support post-crisis business recovery.
- Strengthen referral networks for mental health, financial aid, and municipal services.
- Continue blended training models as in-person gatherings resume under health guidelines.
Conclusion
The Neftaly–DBSA partnership has proven vital in helping communities navigate crisis while laying a stronger foundation for long-term youth development. In this critical time, our combined efforts have demonstrated that responsive, youth-focused programming can both alleviate short-term hardship and unlock long-term potential.
As we continue adapting to the challenges of COVID-19, Neftaly remains committed to building on this momentum, reaching more youth, and strengthening communities across South Africa — with DBSA’s continued partnership and support.
Acknowledgment
Neftaly extends deep gratitude to the Development Bank of Southern Africa for its unwavering commitment to inclusive development and to the many youth, volunteers, and community leaders who have made this work possible.
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Neftaly Charity August 2018 SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP Report by Neftaly Chief Development
Introduction
The ongoing partnership between Neftaly and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) continues to drive impactful youth empowerment initiatives throughout 2018. In August, our focus remained on equipping young South Africans with vital skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting active engagement in infrastructure development.
This report outlines the key activities, achievements, challenges, and strategic insights for the period leading up to and including August 2018.
Strategic Focus Areas
- Delivering vocational, digital, and financial skills training
- Supporting youth entrepreneurship and business development
- Enhancing youth awareness of infrastructure and governance
- Encouraging community leadership and participation
Key Activities and Achievements (January – August 2018)
1. Skills Training
- Trained over 1,400 youth across Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West provinces in digital literacy, retail, and financial management.
- Combined classroom learning with practical exercises to enhance knowledge retention.
2. Entrepreneurship Development
- Facilitated business workshops and mentorship for 95 youth entrepreneurs, focusing on business planning, marketing, and funding access.
- Strengthened networks between emerging entrepreneurs and seasoned business mentors.
3. Infrastructure Awareness
- Hosted 4 community workshops to raise awareness of infrastructure’s importance for economic growth and service delivery.
- Distributed multilingual educational materials to ensure inclusivity.
4. Community Engagement
- Supported youth involvement in local government forums, promoting civic participation.
- Encouraged youth-led projects tackling local issues such as sanitation and safety.
Impact Overview
Activity Outcome (Jan – Aug 2018) Youth Trained 1,400+ Youth Entrepreneurs Supported 95 Infrastructure Workshops Held 4 Youth Engaged in Forums 310+
Challenges and Responses
- Limited digital access and connectivity for some participants.
Response: Distribution of data support and exploration of offline training tools. - Funding barriers for youth entrepreneurs.
Response: Enhanced collaboration with financial institutions and grant agencies. - Need for localized, accessible training content.
Response: Customized curricula to suit diverse learner needs.
Lessons Learned
- Practical, hands-on training enhances skills acquisition.
- Mentorship is crucial for youth entrepreneurial success.
- Youth engagement in governance increases community accountability.
Recommendations
- Expand digital inclusion initiatives to reduce connectivity gaps.
- Increase support for entrepreneurship funding and mentorship.
- Promote deeper youth participation in infrastructure decision-making.
- Develop more accessible and localized training materials.
Conclusion
August 2018 reaffirms the strong progress of the Neftaly–DBSA partnership in advancing youth empowerment and community development. Sustained collaboration and innovation will be key to further scaling our impact.
Acknowledgments
Neftaly gratefully acknowledges the Development Bank of Southern Africa for their continued support. Our thanks also go to the youth participants, mentors, facilitators, and community stakeholders driving this partnership’s success.
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Neftaly Charity August 2013 SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP Report by Neftaly Chief Development
Neftaly Charity – August 2013
SAYPRO – DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DBSA) PARTNERSHIP
Report by Neftaly Chief of DevelopmentIn August 2013, the partnership between Neftaly and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) continued to demonstrate powerful progress in advancing youth empowerment and community transformation throughout South Africa. This report, compiled by the Neftaly Chief of Development, highlights the strategic actions and achievements of this impactful collaboration during the month of August.
???? Driving Inclusive Development Through Youth Empowerment
The Neftaly–DBSA partnership was designed to respond to the urgent need for youth-focused development in underserved communities. By August 2013, we had entered a critical phase of program expansion, community engagement, and capacity building.
Together, we focused on delivering practical, high-impact solutions to the challenges of youth unemployment, limited access to skills training, and lack of community development infrastructure.
???? Key Highlights – August 2013
- Launch of Neftaly Career Readiness Bootcamps in Johannesburg and Durban, reaching over 200 young job seekers
- Deployment of mobile training units to rural areas, ensuring no youth is left behind
- Business mentorship sessions held with young entrepreneurs selected through the Neftaly-DBSA microenterprise initiative
- Strengthened collaboration with local government and community leaders to identify and address grassroots challenges
- Start of the Youth Innovation Challenge, encouraging problem-solving and leadership among school learners
???? Measured Impact
- 82% of participants in Neftaly bootcamps reported improved employability skills
- 15 youth-led enterprises received mentorship and early-stage funding
- 3 new community partnerships formed to support continued youth development beyond program delivery
- Increased Neftaly visibility and trust in communities through active local engagement
????️ Message from the Chief of Development
“August 2013 was a turning point in the Neftaly–DBSA journey. Our programs matured, our reach extended, and our impact deepened. The trust placed in us by DBSA allowed Neftaly to innovate, adapt, and meet young people where they are—with tools, training, and opportunities that change lives.”
???? Next Steps
As we prepared for the final quarter of the year, Neftaly and DBSA focused on refining program delivery, scaling successful models, and capturing deeper insights through evaluation. The August 2013 successes serve as proof that strategic partnerships grounded in purpose can drive sustainable change.