The 16th Annual Youth Citizens Action Programme (YCAP) National Championship 2025 took place from 17–19 October 2025, at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg. The event marked another milestone in YCAP’s 16-year journey of empowering learners to become proactive citizens and change leaders. Since inception, the initiative implemented by the Empowervate Trust in collaboration with the DBE, has provided learners with practical skills to identify challenges in their schools or communities, develop creative solutions and assess their impact.
The long-term sustainability of YCAP was reinforced in November 2023 through a renewed five-year Memorandum of Understanding between the DBE and Empowervate Trust. This partnership underscores government’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment through active citizenship and youth agency. Despite initial rollout challenges, improved coordination has enhanced the programme’s effectiveness, reflected in the high standard of presentations showcased at this year’s national finals.
During the championship, learners delivered thought-provoking presentations addressing issues such as learner pregnancy, mental health awareness, poverty reduction, academic improvement and climate change. The event brought together some of South Africa’s most inspiring young social innovators, with Tlhasedi Primary School (North West) and Florapark Comprehensive High School (Limpopo) emerging as the junior and senior national champions, respectively.
Empowervate Trust CEO and Founder, Ms. Amanda Blankfield-Koseff, highlighted that YCAP is more than just a competition: “It’s about creating meaningful impact. Through our 10-step toolkit, learners identify problems, design solutions and measure outcomes gaining both confidence and a sense of purpose.”
Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education at the DBE, commended the YCAP for its role in developing diverse learner talents and fostering inclusion beyond conventional enrichment programmes. He emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration, mentorship and the professionalisation of such initiatives, applauding the Empowervate Trust for its dedication. Reflecting on the programme’s impact, he noted, “We are not about making noise but about doing the deep work, the heavy lifting that unlocks every child’s potential.”
The 2025 National YCAP Championship once again demonstrated the Department’s commitment to cultivating responsible, socially aware and empowered youth, who are ready to contribute to a better South Africa.
Other 2025 YCAP National Award Winners include: Best Budget (Junior): Tlhasedi Primary School, North West; Best Budget (Senior): Sidlamafa Secondary School, Mpumalanga; Best Presentation (Junior): Oranje-Oewer Intermediate School, Northern Cape; Best Presentation (Senior): Mmanotshe Moduane Secondary School, North West; Cultural Award (Junior): Injabulo Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal; Cultural Award (Senior): Le-Reng Secondary School, Free State.
YCAP continues to shape tomorrow’s leaders who are conscious, capable, and committed to creating sustainable change.