Progress Report – November 2020

Prepared by: Chief Development Officer, Neftaly

Introduction

The month of November 2020 marked a continued period of adaptation, impact, and innovation for the partnership between Neftaly (South African Youth Project) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Amid ongoing national recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, this collaboration has remained focused on empowering youth, strengthening community resilience, and advancing inclusive development in line with national priorities.

This report provides an overview of the initiatives, outcomes, and strategic impact of activities conducted from September to November 2020 under the DBSA–Neftaly partnership.

Strategic Focus Areas

The partnership continues to support South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP 2030) and the DBSA’s goal of inclusive infrastructure-led development. Core focus areas include:

• Digital skills training and youth employability
• Entrepreneurship and economic recovery support
• Public infrastructure education and civic participation
• COVID-19 recovery and psychosocial support for vulnerable youth

Key Highlights and Achievements (Sept – Nov 2020)

1. Expansion of Digital Learning Platforms

• Reached 3,900+ youth learners through online and mobile-accessible training in career development, coding, financial literacy, and small business management.
• Distributed over 600 mobile data packages to low-income learners in rural and township communities.

2. Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Recovery Support

• Conducted three virtual entrepreneurship acceleration bootcamps with over 150 youth participants.
• Provided post-training support to 20 youth-led businesses, including digital branding mentorship, e-commerce guidance, and resilience planning.

3. Civic Engagement and Infrastructure Education

• Launched the “Youth and Development Dialogues” series, bringing together local government representatives and over 500 young people to discuss public infrastructure and municipal accountability.
• Developed a toolkit on infrastructure awareness distributed digitally and through youth facilitators.

4. Well-being and Community Support

• Introduced a peer-to-peer youth wellness programme with trained volunteer counselors addressing emotional and mental health needs during the pandemic.
• Hosted two mental health webinars with professionals focused on resilience, stress management, and peer support systems.

Impact Summary

Challenges Faced

• Technology Access Gaps: Continued limitations in device availability among youth in informal settlements.
• Online Fatigue: Virtual learning retention began to decline after prolonged online-only engagement.
• Funding Constraints: Limited funding for scale-up and continuity of high-impact microenterprise support.

Lessons and Adaptations

• Mixed delivery (hybrid) models, blending online and small-group in-person sessions, are more inclusive and sustainable.
• Mental health support must be built into all youth programming as a standard component.
• Regular stakeholder engagement improves programme relevance and youth trust.

Recommendations for 2021 Planning

1. Expand hybrid skills training models using community centres for low-tech youth learning.
2. Build out enterprise seed funding and follow-up coaching for startup success.
3. Increase access to affordable devices through partnerships with mobile and tech providers.
4. Institutionalize youth-led governance forums to integrate voices into local planning.

Conclusion

The Neftaly–DBSA partnership continues to drive meaningful transformation during one of the most complex periods in recent South African history. From digital skills to economic recovery and civic leadership, thousands of young people have benefitted from our collaborative efforts. As we approach 2021, the momentum built will serve as a foundation for deeper, wider, and more inclusive impact.

Acknowledgment

Neftaly extends its sincere appreciation to the Development Bank of Southern Africa for its continued support and shared commitment to youth development, infrastructure awareness, and sustainable change. We also thank our local partners, youth leaders, and community stakeholders who make this work possible.

Progress Report – November 2019

Prepared by: Chief Development Officer, Neftaly

Introduction

November 2019 marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Neftaly and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Our collaborative efforts remain firmly focused on empowering South African youth through skills development, enterprise support, and infrastructure education, aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 objectives.

This report provides an overview of activities conducted from August through November 2019, key achievements, and strategic insights for the coming months.

Strategic Priorities

During this period, the partnership prioritized:

• Enhancing vocational and digital skills training for youth
• Supporting youth entrepreneurship and access to markets
• Increasing youth awareness and participation in infrastructure development
• Strengthening community engagement and leadership opportunities

Key Activities and Outcomes (Aug – Nov 2019)

1. Vocational and Digital Skills Training

• Delivered training sessions to over 1,800 youth across Gauteng, North West, and Limpopo provinces.
• Focus areas included computer literacy, financial management, retail skills, and communication.

2. Youth Enterprise Development

• Facilitated entrepreneurship workshops for 100 youth entrepreneurs, focusing on business planning, marketing, and funding.
• Established mentorship links between young entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders.

3. Infrastructure Awareness and Civic Education

• Conducted 5 workshops educating youth on the role of infrastructure in socio-economic development and governance processes.
• Distributed printed materials in multiple local languages to enhance accessibility.

4. Community Engagement

• Supported youth participation in local government forums, enabling dialogue with municipal officials on development priorities.
• Encouraged youth-led initiatives addressing community challenges.

Impact Summary

Challenges Faced

• Limited access to digital devices for some participants restricted training delivery.
• Varied levels of infrastructure awareness required customized educational approaches.
• Funding limitations impacted scaling of entrepreneurship support.

Lessons Learned

• Hands-on, practical training significantly improves youth engagement and skill retention.
• Peer mentorship boosts confidence and sustainability among young entrepreneurs.
• Multilingual materials and culturally relevant content increase workshop effectiveness.

Recommendations

• Expand access to digital tools and internet connectivity to broaden training reach.
• Develop a formal mentorship programme linking youth entrepreneurs with business experts.
• Increase collaboration with local municipalities to embed youth voices in infrastructure planning.

Conclusion

The Neftaly–DBSA partnership continues to make meaningful strides in empowering youth as agents of change. With ongoing commitment and strategic focus, the partnership is well-positioned to scale impact and contribute towards building a skilled, entrepreneurial, and civically engaged youth population in South Africa.

Acknowledgments

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Development Bank of Southern Africa for their continued support and trust. Our appreciation also goes to the youth participants, facilitators, and community stakeholders who make this work possible.