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  • King Shaka International Airport: A New Global Aviation Leader

    King Shaka International Airport Ranks Among Global Top 10 – A Significant Achievement for South African Aviation King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) in Durban has achieved a remarkable milestone by being ranked 7th among the top 10 airports globally for 2025, as per the Skytrax global rankings. This recognition places KSIA alongside major airports like Singapore’s Changi and Tokyo Haneda, marking a significant advancement for African aviation. This accolade not only validates the strategic investments in South Africa’s airport infrastructure and service delivery but also represents the first African airport to reach such a high position. KSIA’s rise is attributed to its operational efficiency and innovation, previously noted for its 90% on-time performance. It operates within the Dube TradePort, offering a seamless aviation ecosystem. The airport's infrastructure, including a 3.7 km runway and a user-friendly terminal, supports modern aviation demands while maintaining Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation. KSIA’s global ranking elevates South Africa’s status in the aviation sector, traditionally dominated by airports in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, signaling a shift in global aviation dynamics. This achievement challenges outdated narratives about African infrastructure, highlighting the continent’s potential when driven by political will and investment. The timing aligns with a rebound in global tourism, attracting international airlines and enhancing Durban’s appeal as a travel hub. This boosts tourism, an essential part of South Africa’s economy, benefiting local businesses and the hospitality sector. KSIA’s success underscores the importance of reliable air connectivity in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, serving as a gateway to opportunities. This recognition not only uplifts South Africa but also offers a blueprint for other African cities aiming to modernize their infrastructure. King Shaka’s achievement is a testament to South Africa’s capability in world-class infrastructure development and service delivery, signaling its active role in shaping global conversations. King Shaka International Airport Ranks Among Global Top 10 – A Significant Achievement for South African Aviation

  • Partnership Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    The winning project reflects the importance of teamwork and effective inter-agency collaboration. Adv Pria Hassan; Fikiswa Pupuma, EDTEA; Farah Goolam, Invest Durban; Russell Curtis, Invest Durban; Thuli Galelekile, TIKZN; Hamish Erskine, Dube TradePort; Xoli Shabalala, Dube TradePort, and Oscar Sibisa, Standard Bank WINNER Durban Direct is a coordinated multi stakeholder initiative focused on enhancing KZN’s global air connectivity through King Shaka International Airport. Durban Direct is led by the KwaZulu Natal Route Development Committee and exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration in unlocking economic potential. FINALISTS Ensure Next Generation Security is a security service provider with nearly 50 years of continuous service in the South African security sector. Their recent partnership with the eThekwini Municipality in the Inner-City Regeneration project (Ensure Ubuntu) is a testament to their deep rooted commitment to revitalising our communities. Nos Media House, through its creative expertise and digital platforms, and Wearyourbrand aim to showcase how an SME agency and a grassroots NGO can co create value – demonstrating that strategic synergy, when rooted in mutual trust and shared objectives, can yield outsized impact. https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Business Leader of The Year - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) began his journey in the Italian Navy in 1965. However, he found the rigid structure stifling and left after two years to join the merchant navy, where he worked on tankers as a cadet. His career took a significant turn when he met Gianluigi Aponte, who, alongside his wife Rafaela, had recently founded MSC. Aponte offered Captain Sarno a position aboard a 4,000 tonne vessel, one of MSC’s f irst ships, and together they set out to establish MSC’s inaugural shipping line around Africa. At the age of 30, Captain Sarno left the sea to join Aponte in Brussels, assisting in the management of MSC’s growing fleet, which then comprised only five ships. Together, they dreamed of making MSC the world’s largest shipping company. Captain Sarno moved with his family, his wife interacted with staff they trusted. Sandra and his two sons, into a small office where each team member took on multiple roles, with spouses contributing as well. MSC’s reputation grew, and soon, the company relocated to Geneva to enhance its professional image. Oscar Siziba, Head of Coverage: Business Banking at Standard Bank SA; Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairperson, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC); and Grant Adlam, CEO KZN Top Business. A major milestone for MSC came when BMW South Africa awarded them a contract, provided they could offer weekly service between Europe and South Africa. Captain Sarno, aged 40, took on the challenge, relocating to South Africa with a two-year commitment to establish MSC’s presence. Those two years transformed into a much longer tenure, as he built MSC South Africa into the country’s largest shipping organisation with the help of Sandra, who managed sixteen container depots, and his son Rosario, who eventually became the managing director, overseeing more than 2,000 employees. Captain Sarno insisted on maintaining a personal touch in client relations, avoiding call centres to ensure customers interacted with staff they trusted. In 1992, Captain Sarno co-founded the Container Lines Operator Forum (CLOF) with the late Dave Rennies, forming a network of top shipping executives who advised Transnet’s leaders on optimising port and container terminal operations. Six years later, in 1998, he was appointed president of the South African Branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. Captain Sarno’s success led him to unexpected meetings, including an encounter with President Nelson Mandela. Inspired by Mandela’s vision for South Africa, Captain Sarno collaborated with the South African Navy in 1999 to establish Izivunguvungu, the MSC Foundation, a youth initiative in Simon’s Town to support disadvantaged South Africans. In 2018, together with his son Rosario, Captain Sarno founded the Shosholoza Academy, where thousands of young South Africans have been trained to work on MSC’s passenger ships, contributing to employment and skill-building within the country. Captain Sarno’s many industry and social contributions were acknowledged when he was awarded an Italian Republic Knighthood by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 2005. Four years later, in 2009, he was appointed as an Official of the Knighthood Order by President Giorgio Napolitano. Today, Captain Sarno looks towards the future of South Africa’s ports with optimism. He believes the nation has the right leaders to drive change and restore the country’s infrastructure, pointing to recent progress as a sign of hope. https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Transport and Logistics Sector Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    Activities concerned with land, railway, air and water transport, and transport via pipeline. Activities of travel agencies, post and telecommunications, courier, as well as storage and warehousing activities are included. Glen Govinder, Provincial Head of Vehicle & Asset Finance Standard Bank, KZN; Aven Naidu, CEO, Avemel Logistics; Advocate Pria Hassan CEO Women of Africa Group, and Grant Adlam, CEO, KZN Top Business WINNER AVEMEL LOGISTICS has extensive knowledge and experience across all aspects of logistics. This foundation enables the company to adapt to client-specific requirements and navigate any challenge. Avemel has demonstrated consistent growth, driven by a commitment to service excellence and operational precision. FINALISTS Your Pass to Travel, started by Nhlanhla Litabe, provides business and leisure travel services in the regions they operate. The company’s well-experienced consultants offer economical, practical and convenient travel solutions that their satisfied customers will well attest to. The Courier Guy has had a long-standing presence in KZN, beginning with their expansion into Durban and surrounding areas to meet demand. Over the years, they’ve deepened their investment in the province by opening additional depots, expanding their delivery fleet, and creating job opportunities. https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Business, Finance, & Education Sector Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    This category includes insurance and pension funding, legal, accounting, education and general business activities. WINNER ROYAL TYRES has grown from the oldest tyre dealer in South Africa to one of the fastest-growing and best-governed general businesses in the country. With over 85 years of heritage, the company has demonstrated excellence in governance, ethics, financial reporting, stakeholder engagement, and innovation. FINALISTS Established in Durban by Chris Tyson in 2005, Tyson Properties is now one of South Africa’s leading real estate operations. Its experienced agents have extensive knowledge of local markets and the broader property landscape, whether you are renting, buying or selling. Bconsult is an innovative and values-driven business committed to excellence in skills development and transformation. The company prides itself on delivering these services to meet the unique needs of their clients while creating meaningful impact for local communities, especially within KZN. Akshay Patel, CEO, Royal Tyres and Jasmeena Shiba, Director, Royal Tyres https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Renewable Efficiency - Green Initiatives Award: KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    This category includes renewable energy, lowcarbon transport, clean technologies, improved waste management, improved freshwater provision, etc. WINNER BRAHMAN HILLS is a hospitality and eco-tourism destination nestled in the KZN Midlands. Its internationally acclaimed gardens create a serene sanctuary for guests while supporting sustainability and conservation. Their commitment to environmental stewardship is woven into every aspect of the operations. FINALISTS Wallace & Green is a leading consultancy providing professional environmental services to various sectors throughout South Africa. A solid foundation of Passion, Purpose and Progress drives their efforts to deliver sustainable solutions for the 21st century. aQuellé’s extensive solar installation generates enough electricity to power aprox. 1 100 average households in South Africa. At the newest bottling facility, the solar installation saves 131 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per month, equivalent to planting 3 803 trees. Lungile Maphumalo and Onwaba Gonyora, Brahman Hills

  • KZN Top Business Leads The Way

    KZN Top Business, a content marketing company that has been a driving force in the industry since 1998, has truly made its mark over the past 27 years. Specialising in crafting and distributing tailored content, KZN Top Business helps brands enhance their visibility, build stronger connections, and improve client retention with impactful marketing campaigns. At the heart of everything KZN Top Business does is the KwaZuluNatal Top Business Portfolio, the company’s flagship offering, which features many of the successful businesses and organisations in the province. Running alongside this publication is the KZN Top Business Leaders Portfolio which honours the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of some of the region’s most influential business figures. The 2025 editions of these publications will be launched at an executive breakfast on the 17 September at the IBV Privé in Park Square, Umhlanga. KZN TOP BUSINESS AWARDS Following from the portfolios, the annual KZN Top Business Awards showcases many of these companies and leaders’ success stories. The awards are open to companies or organisations that have an office in KZN. Of primary importance, entrants are required to explain how their company contributes to the KZN economy. To qualify they must have a proactive business model that adheres to the principles of King IV achieving the four governance outcomes of: ethical culture, good performance and value creation, adequate and effective control, and trust, good reputation, and legitimacy. CEO Grant Adlam sums it up best: “Innovation, excellence, and collaboration are at the core of everything we do at KZN Top Business. We are committed to helping businesses grow their visibility and strengthen connections within the local and broader business communities. The future is bright, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.” KZN Top Business’s commitment to innovation and growth ensures its continued impact on the local business landscape, helping companies thrive now and in the years to come. KZN Top Business Awards

  • Employee Wellness Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    This category is for businesses that go the extra mile to engage their staff members. These activities may be through in-house training, flexible working, personal development, workplace wellbeing activity and teambuilding. WINNER The Beekman Group’s dedicated staff enrichment programme, Beekman WAY, promotes personal and professional growth, supporting a positive workplace culture. With over 1 300 employees nationwide, their strong retention rates reflect a caring, balanced work environment fostered a family-oriented management approach. FINALISTS Hulamin is an employer of choice, providing employment opportunities to thousands of individuals and directly contributing to KZN’s economic vitality. Their Facebook page captures the joy their employees experience in being part of the Hulamin brand, reflected in the phrase: HulaPeeps Work & Play Together! SRF Flexipak SA is a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging solutions delivering superior quality products to the South African market. The employee wellness strategy is built on a holistic approach that addresses physical, mental and emotional well-being. Grant Adlam, CEO, KZN Top Business; Imraan Noorbhai, Standard Bank Provincial Head of KwaZulu-Natal; John Beekman, CEO, Beekman Group; Cindy Allen, Director, Beekman Group; and Adv. Pria Hassan, CEO, Women of Africa Group https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Manufacturing Sector Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    The category is broadly defined as the physical or chemical transformation of materials or compounds into new products. Prebu Mudaly, Director, WOA Group; Pravashni Nirghin, Chief Financial Officer, Hulamin; Advocate Pria Hassan, CEO, Women of Africa Group; Glen Govinder, Provincial Head of Vehicle & Asset Finance Standard Bank, KZN WINNER HULAMIN is a catalyst for economic development, industrial innovation, and environmental sustainability in KZN and beyond. Leveraging world-class manufacturing capabilities with state of-the-art technology, Hulamin’s contribution to the global aluminium industry is characterised by their diverse and high quality product portfolio. FINALISTS As a globally recognised leaders in personal protective equipment, Imperial Armour specialises in manufacturing advanced Land, Sea, and Air protection solutions. Their success is built on a rich heritage, a legacy of a three-generational company with roots in the United Kingdom. SLG Group was instituted in 2002 in KwaZulu-Natal as a 100% black-owned company. It is a trailblazer in South Africa’s clean energy sector and a leading gas supplier. SLG has pioneered compressed natural gas supply by launching the province’s first industrial-scale CNG facility. https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • WOA KZN Top Business Woman 2025

    Nosipho Siwisa Damasane stands as a trailblazing leader in South Africa’s transport and logistics sector. With a distinguished executive career spanning over 27 years, she has led complex operations across ports, rail, terminals, road, and air transport – bringing vision, discipline, and transformation to every space she enters. Her leadership journey is not just about the movement of cargo, but about the movement of people – toward empowerment, purpose, and possibility. Currently serving as Chairman of Richards Bay Coal Terminal and the Ivili Group, Nosipho has also advised at the highest level of government as special advisor to the then Minister of Public Enterprises. She is a key contributor to the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) under the Business for South Africa (B4SA), where she provides strategic insights to address the country’s infrastructure and freight challenges at a time of national urgency. Beyond her operational acumen in supply chains, logistics turnaround, and infrastructure strategy, Nosipho is best known for her people-first leadership style. Speaking at the KZN Top Business Awards, she reminded the audience, “90% of the time, when we do certain things, people haven’t understood this concept of leadership being about people. I always say – even with AI, nothing is going to happen without a person behind it.” Nosipho’s unwavering belief in people is shaped by her own journey – from humble beginnings in rural Eastern Cape to executive boardrooms across KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the world. “I came here in 2002. I’m just someone who came to work – and cut my teeth in ports and logistics in KZN,” she shared with pride. It is in this province that she found her stride, and in this community that she continues to serve and uplift. Her leadership is deeply rooted in spirituality. “We are here because He is,” she said during her acceptance speech. “There are so many people who touch my heart… I want to honour the work we do for God.” Her ethos is one of service, fairness, and legacy. A vocal advocate for accountable leadership, Nosipho does not hesitate to confront South Africa’s most pressing realities. “Our country is going through a tough time,” she declared. “And the biggest challenge of this economy is not money – it is leadership. People are not taking time to develop people. When they get to the table, they think, ‘I’ve arrived. Now I do what I want’. But leadership is about people: seeing them, hearing them, helping them.” Determined to shift this paradigm, Nosipho retired from traditional executive roles to focus fully on consultancy in logistics, and on people, focussing on leadership development, transformation, and empowerment. Through keynote speeches, podcast platforms, executive coaching, and facilitation, she’s building a scalable ecosystem that nurtures ethical, empathetic, and effective leadership – particularly among women. Nosipho is also the author of five powerful leadership books: Finding the Woman Within, The Inclusive Leader, Leading with Empathy, Cracking the Code, and How Women Leaders Thrive – each crafted to equip women with insight, courage, and clarity in their careers. Her global engagements in Singapore, Belgium, France, Qatar, and the UK have shaped her into a truly international leader, while remaining deeply rooted in South African soil. Recognitions such as Businesswoman of the Year (BWASA), CEO of the Year (IPM), and induction into the Women in Logistics Hall of Fame by the OECD reflect the global impact of her work. In 2025, she launched The Leadership Table, an exclusive roundtable series hosting 15 women per session – an intimate, high-impact forum addressing the unique challenges of middle management women in corporate spaces. Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane continues to lead a quiet revolution – through conversations, strategies, and the development of leaders who listen, who care, and who drive change. Her work is a reminder that leadership is not about titles – it’s about people. And she is lighting the path, one leader at a time. Advocate Pria Hassan, CEO, Women of Africa Group and Nosipho Siwisa- Damasane, Chairperson, Richards Bay Coal Terminal

  • Agriculture and Agri-Processing Sector Award - KZN Top Business Awards 2025

    Given to establishments and activities that are primarily engaged in farming activities and support industries. WINNER Since its founding in 2019, GREENHILL LABORATORIES has grown from a small startup into a nationally recognised laboratory, achieving SANAS accreditation. The company supports agriculture, food safety, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, making it a vital contributor to health and economic growth in the province. FINALISTS Biological Agricultural Era (BioAge) is a proudly South African scientifically driven manufacturing company that aims to integrate innovation with agriculture. BioAge was founded with a deep personal mission: to empower farmers with affordable, high-performance fertilizers that nourish both crops and soil health. Luhnyezi Farms is a 100% Black female-owned poultry business located in rural KZN. Founded by Samkelisiwe Sithole, the farm focuses on providing affordable, nutritious food while combating poverty and unemployment. Samkelisiwe has used her business to empower rural communities and uplift others. Precious Zulu, Executive Manager of Corporate Services WOA Group; Dr Tashiana Beharielal, Laboratory Manager, GreenHill Laboratories; Veruschka Naidoo, Business Development Manager, GreenHill Laboratories, and Fikile Msiza, Business Banking Client Coverage, Regional Head Standard Bank, KZN https://www.kzntopbusiness.com/

  • Investing in youth potential: World Youth Skills Day in the South African context

    On 15 July, the world makes time to celebrate possibility. World Youth Skills Day, established by the United Nations, isn’t just another date on the calendar — it’s a global call to action. And in South Africa, where youth unemployment has surged to an alarming 62.4% among those aged 15 to 24, that call reverberates with urgency. It is not simply a statistic; it reflects a systemic crisis — one defined by misaligned curricula, limited economic access, and dwindling prospects for young people navigating an increasingly unforgiving labour market. For them, skills are not a luxury — they are a lifeline to dignity, opportunity, and a future they can shape.    Too many school leavers enter adulthood unprepared for the realities of the workplace. A 2023 report from South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training revealed persistent gaps between the skills taught and those demanded by employers, a disconnect amplified by rapid technological shifts and the lack of vocational exposure in schools. Research from the SA Journal of Industrial Psychology echoed this concern, highlighting how low self-perceived employability and limited experiential learning leave many students feeling undervalued. In rural and township communities, these barriers deepen, compounded by geographic isolation and digital exclusion. While many youths turn to informal work or side hustles to make ends meet or try their hand at an entrepreneurial venture, without the necessary technical or business acumen, sustainability proves elusive.     Bridging the gap – from education to employability    As Melanie Jacobs, Global Process Owner for Talent, Performance and Learning at Sappi, observes: “To unlock youth potential, we must bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace reality. Without curriculum reform and meaningful industry collaboration, we risk leaving a generation ill-equipped for sustainable livelihoods.”    Beyond academic shortcomings, young South Africans face a growing web of social challenges. The emotional toll of persistent unemployment is seen in the rise of substance abuse, youth crime, and teenage pregnancy. Most violent crimes are committed by individuals under 25, while drug dependency now appears in children as young as eight years old. Over a third of high school learners report problematic drinking habits, and teenage pregnancy continues to jeopardise educational and economic futures — more than 68,000 births to girls under 19 were recorded in 2024, with over 1,400 attributed to girls between the ages of 10 and 14. These are not just numbers; they represent stories of diminished potential and long-standing systemic neglect.    Building pathways to youth entrepreneurship    Against this sobering backdrop, Sappi has placed youth empowerment at the core of its sustainability strategy, adopting a long-term, community-focused approach to skills development and upliftment.     Through its registered Skills Centres at Saiccor Mill in KwaZulu-Natal and Ngodwana Mill in Mpumalanga, Sappi has built an ecosystem that nurtures both technical proficiency and personal growth. Since its launch in 2017, the Saiccor Skills Centre has produced 713 alumni, with Ngodwana contributing a growing cohort of graduates through both non-accredited programmes — such as basic handyman training in electrical work, welding, carpentry, home maintenance, and sewing aimed at community youth — and accredited programmes in trades like welding and boiler-making. All participants train under experienced artisans, gaining not only hands-on technical skills but also discipline, work ethic, and entrepreneurial insight — key ingredients for sustainable self-sufficiency.     The programme’ s structure creates multiple pathways to success. Some learners transition into short-term employment, joining the annual “shut” maintenance teams at Sappi’s mills, where they gain hands-on experience as general workers recruited from the Integrated Community Forum database. In 2025 alone, Saiccor employed close to 700 individuals through this mechanism, awarding close to R6 million in work to Enterprise and Supplier Development companies.     Similarly, Ngodwana mill recruited over 400 general and semi-skilled workers, providing temporary yet vital economic relief. For learners who meet the criteria for apprenticeship, their names move automatically into the interview shortlist, while others are supported in upskilling to reach artisan level. A separate stream offers an 18-month New Venture Creation opportunity at NQF Level 2, guiding candidates in launching their own businesses, reinforcing a culture of entrepreneurship alongside technical training.    This commitment to nurturing future potential was further demonstrated through the 2025 Mnini Career Expo, hosted at Saiccor, where the Skills Centre team and current trainees engaged Grade 12 learners from Magabheni High Schools. By sharing insights into career pathways and guidance on applying for Sappi’s Apprenticeship Programmes via the Sappi Careers portal, they helped spark curiosity, confidence, and a sense of direction in the next generation.     The impact has been just as powerful in Richmond, where Sappi’s Forestry Skills Centre, opened in late 2024, has already trained more than 400 learners and facilitated 8,700 hours of development. Many of these trainees are active participants in Sappi’s Khulisa programme, which integrates small-scale growers into the broader forestry value chain through mentorship, technical support, and market access. To make forestry education more accessible, Sappi has also partnered with Agricolleges International, enabling learners to complete foundational modules online before progressing to in-person, hands-on training at the Forestry Skills Centre. The centre not only delivers practical instruction from seasoned forestry professionals but also provides accommodation, creating a supportive and seamless transition from theory to real-world application.    Driving inclusive impact through localised training   Among the Khulisa success stories is 31-year-old entrepreneur Sihle Sibisi, who transformed a modest farming operation into a thriving enterprise employing 90 people. “Sappi shared forestry knowledge that helped us grow,” Sibisi reflects. “Forestry is one of the most stable industries, and I encourage small farmers to treat their farms as businesses to reach the next level.” His journey is emblematic of the model’s potential, where access to knowledge, infrastructure, and a well-designed support system allows young South Africans to move beyond subsistence and build sustainable futures.    Another notable success emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic, when a group of apprentices at the Saiccor Skills Centre turned adversity into innovation by launching Amadansana, a PPE manufacturing enterprise. What began as a sewing module providing masks evolved into a community-led business supplying protective gear to Sappi mills. Their resourcefulness, fuelled by technical training and entrepreneurial support, became both a lifeline and a blueprint for resilience.    One of the most compelling illustrations of integrated youth development is the Ngodwana Aquaponics programme, launched in partnership with Standard Bank’s Youth Development venture. Situated in the Eland’s Valley of Mpumalanga, the initiative blends aquaculture, agriculture, and enterprise training into a holistic model that not only creates employment but also strengthens local food security. The current participants include 16 young men and women between the ages of 20 and 40, all actively engaged in producing Tilapia fish, fresh herbs, vegetables, and a variety of artisanal food products. A community-run farm stall offers these items — along with baked goods and ready-to-eat treats — at accessible prices, serving as both a retail hub and a platform for grassroots entrepreneurship.    Encouraging signs are emerging around potential expansion, with promising conversations underway to replicate the model and extend economic benefits to other communities.     The voices of those involved reveal the human dimension behind the programme. “As youth, it has brought employment,” says single mother Sibuyisile Sibuyi. “We can feed ourselves and our families. Everything is good now.” Her story is echoed by that of Tamzanqa Phofo: “Even with a matric certificate, I was unemployed. Now I can look after my family.” These stories reflect more than personal transformation — they reflect social renewal.    Beyond aquaculture and artisan trades, Sappi is also investing in the country’s energy and engineering future. Through the Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) programme at Umfolozi TVET College, 30 learners receive stipends and intensive training in solar, electrical, and mechanical disciplines. Backed by the National Business Initiative, the programme links education directly to industry, helping young people transition from classrooms to workplaces with confidence and capability.    Building futures through collaboration   For Melanie Jacobs and the Sappi team, the mission is clear. “While industry is filling the gaps where it can, collective action is needed to drive real change within the education system to ensure our youth are truly employable,” she urges. Her call is a reminder that corporates can catalyse change — but systemic reform requires collective will.    World Youth Skills Day is far more than a symbolic milestone. In South Africa, it resonates as a rallying cry for structural transformation — a call to equip young people not only with qualifications, but with purpose, mentorship, and momentum. Sappi’s integrated approach is proof that strategic youth development can yield not just employment, but resilience, inclusion, and prosperity. And with every learner trained, every business launched, and every story told, South Africa moves closer to a future where youth are no longer excluded from opportunity — but at the forefront of designing it.  The aquaponics programme at Ngodwana is just one inspiring example—showing how young people are not only surviving, but truly thriving.  Watch the video for an up-close look at the difference it's making.

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