South Africa’s unemployment crisis is among the most urgent challenges of our time. More than half of young people are locked out of the economy, not for lack of talent but for lack of access to opportunity. In underresourced schools and communities, the disparity in resources is stark. Learners often face overcrowded classrooms, outdated infrastructure and little exposure to technologies that shape the modern world.
It is against this backdrop that Nka’Thuto EduPropeller was born: to transform cohorts of learners into innovators who exist not only to earn a livelihood, but to drive social impact and economic growth.
Beyond job seekers to job creators
Nka’Thuto was founded by scientists committed to bridging the gap between research and real-world impact, establishing a platform where STEAM converges with entrepreneurship.
The organisation was co-founded by two vibrant black females: Thulile Khanyile, a PhD candidate and lecturer in molecular medicine, entrepreneurship and innovation at Wits; and Thandeka Mhlanga, a dual Master’s graduate in Physics (cum laude) and Innovation Management, who currently serves as an Innovation Development Officer at the Wits Innovation Centre.
Learners move from identifying problems in their communities -> developing concepts -> prototyping -> showcasing innovations. Along this journey, they gain 21st-century skills such as coding, electronics, hydroponics, design thinking and business planning. More importantly, they begin to see themselves not as passive recipients of knowledge, but as creators of solutions.
Stories that define the mission
The best measure of impact lies in the alumni. Take Mbali Madonsela, once a learner from an underresourced school, now a health-tech entrepreneur. Or Blessing Maditsi, who built drone kits as an intern with Nka’Thuto’s partners after progressing through the programme.
These are not isolated success stories. They are the archetype of an Nka’Thuto alumnus: resilient, inventive and committed to using innovation to change lives. Each alumnus embodies the mission of turning raw potential into purpose-driven action.
Sustaining innovation culture
Nka’Thuto’s impact doesn’t end with individual projects. The organisation has worked with over 5,000 learners across rural and township schools, supported the development of more than 50 alumni innovations and established Innovation Clubs within schools, thus ensuring that a culture of innovation continues long after the first intervention. Alumni now progress into STEM careers, launch entrepreneurial ventures and mentor the next wave of learners, creating a cycle of transformation that multiplies over time.
Why this matters for business
Partnering with Nka’Thuto enables businesses and funders to translate their CSI and ESG commitments into measurable, scalable impact. Through this collaboration, partners gain brand visibility linked to innovation, youth empowerment and transformation, while contributing to the development of sustainable talent pipelines across diverse sectors. Together, we co-create scalable models that drive systemic change and deliver lasting socioeconomic value.
Nka’Thuto provides:
- A talent pipeline from underresourced schools into STEM and entrepreneurship.
- An inclusive innovation ecosystem that reduces inequality by bridging the resource gap.
- Human stories of transformation, putting a face to every investment.
This is not CSI as a compliance exercise; it is CSI as a catalyst for national renewal.
A call to action
South Africa’s future depends on unlocking the creativity and ingenuity of its young people. At Nka’Thuto EduPropeller, we’ve seen firsthand that when learners are equipped with the right tools, mentorship and belief in their potential, they don’t just dream – they build.
We invite funders, donors, collaborators and partners to join us in this mission, alongside visionary supporters such as the Department of Science and Innovation, Nozala Trust and Ponahalo De Beers Trust. Beyond funding, Nka’Thuto co-creates bespoke programmes with partners. We have proudly collaborated with the Sasol Energy Innovation Challenge and the Motsepe Foundation on its Girls in STEM initiative. Most recently, we partnered with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS) to launch the African Earth Observation Challenge Junior, nurturing a new pipeline of innovators in the space technology sector.
Together, we can amplify our collective efforts to unlock innovation, create jobs and transform South Africa’s future – one young innovator at a time.
This article was originally published in CSI: The Human Face of Business 2025
