About Us
The Challenge
South Africa faces a profound youth crisis, marked by high unemployment (two out of three youth aged 18-25 are unemployed), a significant NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) population (3.6 million), massive youth wellbeing challenges, and critical educational deficits.
Our response
The YearBeyond programme directly addresses these challenges through a dual-beneficiary model, providing structured work experience and personal development for youth, while simultaneously delivering high-quality community interventions.
About YeBo Institute
The YeBo Institute was formally established in 2023 as a Non-Profit Company (NPC) and serves as the administrative and strategic home for the national youth service programme, YearBeyond, and its training arm (the YeBo Academy).
The Institute is also registered as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), a registered NPC and holds Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status (18A and 18B) from SARS, enabling tax-deductible donations.
The Board
Dr Chrischar Rock (chairperson) - Lecturer and practical learning coordinator at Stellenbosch University Education Faculty and citizenship specialist.
Dr Fidelis Hove (member) - Principal at Genesis Analytics and public policy, social protection, youth development and digital transformation specialist.
Ms Cathrine Masters (treasurer) - Non-profit management and finance consultant and specialist.
Ms Khomotso Grace Legodi (member) - Managing partner of a venture capital firm Keyo Ventures and all-round investment and green specialist.
Dr Solange Rosa (secretary) - Director of the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UCT Graduate School of Business and human rights and inclusive development lawyer and specialist.
Management Team
Jacqueline Boulle (CEO), Nivanie Pillay (Finance), Wayde Groep (Communications), William Crawford (Data), Sihle Ma-Awu (Academy), Carrie Mashek (Programmes), Robert Davids (Pathway).
YearBeyond History
The longest running programme is YeBo Education which was launched in 2015. This programme trains bright and motivated young people to serve as teacherS’ assistants and tutors running after school literacy and numeracy programmes for grade 3 and 4 learners in under-resourced schools across the Western Cape. Operating in almost 100 low and no-fee schools across the province, the programme deploys 500 young people who serve 8 000 learners annually.
In 2018 the programme expanded to YeBo Scouting, in 2020 to Data Administration and in 2021 the programme will expand to YeBo Health.
Impact
In 2019, an independent evaluation study found significant positive impact for young people and the learners they supported on the YeBo Education programme:
81% of YeBoneers had greater clarity on career options, and 95% were motivated to study further.
82% of YeBoneers had successfully pathwayed into work or studies.
YeBoneers are absorbed into the economy relatively quickly, with the average time between YeBo participation and employment being 2.8 months.
57% of YeBoneers found employment post the programme, and 43% are paying income tax.
47% of YeBoneers were studying post the programme, some full-time and some part-time. 19% had already upgraded to a higher level National Qualification Framework (NQF) qualification.
Participating learners in primary schools showed statistically significant improvements in performance in Maths and English.
YeBo Stories
Gain an insight into the YeBo programme and its people!