"Developing skills in our youth is a crucial element of shaping the future of South Africa. Skilled youth are better positioned to secure employment and drive economic growth for our communities and country. There is an urgent need for targeted skills development programmes that equip our young people to thrive in the modern world," says Nyaladzi Moyo, the Commercial Director at Danone. 

The Boxer Youth Leadership programme aims to do just this by empowering disadvantaged youth from South Africa and eSwatini through a five-day leadership training camp. Over 450 grade 10 and 11 learners applied to participate in the programme by submitting a one-minute video of commentary on how leaders can use technology to make cities safe, inclusive and sustainable, says Danone. 

On Friday, 28 March, 50 selected learners travelled from across the country to spend a week at the Suela Zimbili Adventure Centre in Zinkwazi, KwaZulu-Natal. The five-day transformative leadership course combined a careful selection of skills development and adventure activities, inspiring these young people to take control of their futures and pursue their dreams. Danone says the programme is designed to enhance self-confidence, foster independence and open a world of possibilities — a luxury not always accessible in a background of under-resourced means.

"Boxer is passionate about enhancing the value of education and strives to positively shape the minds of today's young learners — our leaders of tomorrow. However, there is no doubt that we can't do this in isolation — the power of partnership is what drives these initiatives forward and ensures ongoing success and we are very excited to have partnered with Danone this year — a brand that truly resonates with the development of youth for the betterment of society," says Ntombi Dludla, Group Executive of Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability at Boxer. 

As part of Boxer's transformative leadership programme, Danone says it hosted a workshop inspiring vision (imploring learners to have a vision for their lives), health (unpacking the importance of nutrition in fuelling growth, development and success) and career opportunities (exploring the many people and roles which go into the development of a single tub of yoghurt).  

"Danone appreciated this involvement in providing advice on how to feed and nourish the body to establish a healthy gut because a healthy gut is key to absorbing nutrients, which will fuel a healthy brain," says Marlinie Kotiah, General Secretary Director at Danone Southern Africa. 

"Fostering a sense of purpose among learners inspires the possibility of what one can achieve, not only for self, but for our communities. We leveraged the example of Danone's Founder, Isaac Carasso, who produced the first commercialised yoghurt in Spain over one hundred years ago, in response to overcome malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders that impacted children after the Second World War," says Kotiah. 

"Today, this mission to provide health through food to as many people as possible still stands and serves over 120 countries around the world. With the recent celebration of World Health Day, there is no better time to elevate the role of good nutrition on healthy bodies and minds — something we aimed to achieve with this partnership," concludes Kotiah. 

For more information, visit www.danone.com. You can also follow Danone on Facebook or on X.

*Image courtesy of contributor