8.9 Million South African Youth Remain Disconnected from Opportunity

Millions of young South Africans are trapped in the NEET category, not in employment, education, or training, often because of educational deficits and limited access to opportunity. People Upliftment Programme (POPUP) exists to change that. Since 1998, our purpose has been to Shape Talent for Lasting Impact. 

Our vision is to see cities of wholeness where every person is treated with dignity, lives with significance, and makes a positive contribution. We do this by guiding individuals on a journey from hopelessness to hope, restoring dignity, equipping them with practical skills, and empowering them to become positive contributors in their communities. We call these individuals City Changers. 

In 2025, POPUP trained 589 learners through life skills, literacy and numeracy, digital skills, technical training, entrepreneurship programmes, and learnership pathways. We facilitated 196 income-earning opportunities, helping individuals move toward economic independence while supporting family members and dependants through the ripple effects of employment. 

Our impact is measurable. For every R1 invested in POPUP, we create approximately R2.61 of educational value. Since 2005, we have trained more than 10,000 learners, helping vulnerable youth build the confidence, character, and capabilities needed to participate meaningfully in the economy and society. 

The impact of this work is reflected in stories like that of Success Charity Boikhutso, who joined POPUP after struggling with limited opportunities and uncertainty about her future. Through Life Skills training, computer skills development, and a learnership pathway, she secured permanent employment and transformed her circumstances, becoming a positive contributor to her family and community. 

Looking ahead, POPUP is strengthening employment pathways, deepening strategic partnerships, and building the systems required to scale our impact. Our long-term ambition is to train up to 10,000 individuals annually, creating sustainable pathways to employment while developing communities where people can thrive. 

Explore the full story in our 2026 Annual Impact Report.