"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", says Melanie Jacobs, Global Process Owner for Talent, Performance and Learning at Sappi.

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. Research by a criminologist, Prof Rudolph Zinn, found that most violent crimes are committed by youth less than 25 years old. Drug dependency now appears in children as young as eight years old.

Over a third of high school learners report problematic drinking habits, and, according to the Department of Basic Education, teenage pregnancy jeopardises educational and economic futures. Over 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.

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 graduates, with Ngodwana contributing a growing cohort through unaccredited programmes, such as basic training in electrical work, welding, carpentry, home maintenance, and sewing, and accredited programmes in trades like welding and boilermaking for community youth.

All participants train under experienced artisans and gain hands-on technical skills and an understanding of self-discipline, work ethic, and entrepreneurship.  

The programme's structure creates multiple pathways to success. Some learners transition into short-term employment, joining the annual shutdown maintenance teams at Sappi's mills, where they gain hands-on experience as general workers recruited from the Integrated Community Forum database. In 2025, Saiccor employed nearly 700 individuals through this mechanism, awarding approximately 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. The names of learners who meet the criteria for apprenticeship are automatically added to the interview shortlist, and others are supported with upskilling to reach the 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.

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.

Sappi Khulisa

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. 

Sihle Sibisi

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," Sihle 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."

Amadansana

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.

Aquaponics

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 Elands Valley of Mpumalanga, the initiative combines aquaculture, agriculture, and enterprise training into a holistic model that creates employment while enhancing local food security. The current participants include 16 young men and women between the ages of 20 and 40, all of whom are actively engaged in producing Tilapia fish, fresh herbs, vegetables, and a variety of artisanal food products.

A community-run farm stall sells 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. 

The voices of those involved reveal the human dimension behind the programme. "As a youth, it has brought employment," says single mother Sibuyisile Sibuyi. "We can feed ourselves and our families. Everything is good now."

Tamzanqa Phofo echoes her sentiment, "Even with a matric certificate, I was unemployed. Now I can look after my family."

Umfolozi TVET College

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.