Nedbank’s YouthX proudly invites bold and ambitious young South Africans to enter the annual YouthX Awards and shape their futures. This year, YouthX celebrates 5 years of progress, proving it is more than just an awards programme. It invites every young person who feels overlooked to step up, share their story, and unlock their full potential.
YouthX Awards: Entry requirements for young South Africans
YouthX Awards invite young South Africans aged 18 to 26 to make their mark. From 1 July to 31 August 2025, you can win up to R200,000 in funding, receive personalised mentorship, and join a community that believes a ‘no’ is never the end of the journey.
‘Through YouthX, specifically the YouthX Awards, we’re nurturing bold ideas and reshaping futures. We’re building a space where talent, grit, and resilience can flourish by providing platforms that help young entrepreneurs reach their full potential,’ says John Makgato, Head of Youth Strategy and Client Value Proposition at Nedbank.
Judging criteria and what you can gain
Each entry will be judged on creativity, innovation, and community impact. The top ten finalists will not only win prizes, but they will also gain the support, connections, and confidence to build ventures that truly matter.
‘Unlock Your X’ invites you to embrace what makes you unique: your talent, passion, resilience, and drive to create change. ‘X’ sparks transformation in you and your community. The YouthX Awards give young people the chance to unlock their potential and make a difference. Whatever your ‘X’ is, now is your moment to own it and build a brighter future.
“The YouthX Awards gave me more than just a platform. It gave my business visibility, real momentum, and a renewed sense of purpose. Being recognised validated my vision and gave me the confidence to dream bigger and move faster. It reminded me that we the youth are not just the future, we’re the now, and that our ideas, our hustle, and our impact truly matter,” says 2024 YouthX Award winner and founder of Reagile Gaming Interactions, Brandon Mashaba.
‘This year, as we mark 5 years of the YouthX Awards, we’re proud to celebrate the countless stories of resilience, innovation, and empowerment that have shaped this initiative. It’s a testament to Nedbank’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the leaders, change-makers, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow,’ adds Makgato.
This is more than a competition. It’s a call for young South Africans to rise, work hard, and unlock their potential.
Nedbank invites qualifying young account holders to register and build a future full of passion and possibility.
Enter the YouthX Awards today to unlock your X, win R200,000, get expert mentorship, and shine in the spotlight you deserve!
