Overview

ABOUT US

Overview

Southern African Youth Development Agency (SAYDA) is a regional initiative focused on unlocking the economic potential of young people across Southern Africa. Sayda Youth In Business (SYB) is the flagship entrepreneurship and business-support project under Sayda, dedicated to helping youth identify, start, and grow sustainable enterprises.

SYB operates as an integrated ecosystem combining training, mentorship, practical advisory services, access to resources, and pathways to funding, with a central emphasis on a Walk-In Information and Advisory Centre to remove barriers to entry.

Objective

To enable youth to transform ideas into viable businesses through free, walk-in advisory support, mentorship, and practical resources, contributing to Southern African economic growth.

Mission

To cultivate enterprising mindsets and provide actionable support that helps youth transform ideas into viable businesses, creating economic opportunity and community impact.

Vision

To create a vibrant, thriving generation of youth-led entreprises that contribute to inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development in Southern Africa.

OUR HISTORY

Sayda Youth In Business

When it all started, it was merely a whatsapp group of friends throwing business ideas just to find a good business opportunity to collectively establish and empower ourselves financially. In time, the group membership increased. As the membership gradually increased with more business questions than answers or solutions, an idea of formally and officially establishing an organization to provide answers to a thousand questions ensued. In 2020, an unofficially registered Mzansi Youth In Business was born empowering local business driven youth in despair during the Covid Era.

In 2021, Mzansi Youth In Business was a project under South African Youth Development Academy (SAYDA) structure promoting the emergence and development of business ideas by young people. In 2023, the project name was changed to Sayda Youth In Business. In 2024, South African Youth Development Academy officially changed it's name to Southern African Youth Development Agency with Sayda Youth In Business initiative officially registering as a non-profit organization to operate independently but remaining a flagship project of Southern African Youth Development Agency to serve Southern African youth throughout the SADC region.  

PASSION FOR SUCCESS

What We Believe

  • We believe that within every challenge lies an opportunity waiting to be seized.
  • We believe entrepreneurship isn’t just an action or a profession; it begins with a mindset.
  • We believe entrepreneurship is truly the best preparation for youth with any career or business aspirations.
  • We believe as technology changes with the world around us, so do job prospects for youth and future generations.
  • We believe that encouraging youth entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to set up our young generation for success in the future.
  • We believe youth must attain a wealth of knowledge and impressive skillset, to tackle real-world problems and go after their dreams.
  • We believe there is no limit to how much money young people can make or how fast young people can increase their earnings as entrepreneurs.
  • We believe young people have the potential of financial freedom.

Business Information & Advisory Centre

Get Involved

Sayda Youth In Business will establish a fully equipped (BIAC) walk-in centre at our Johannesburg offices to provide emerging entrepreneurs access to facilities that includes,

  • Free internet service for business research purposes,
  • Business material (Books, magazines, news papers, etc.)

We are highly visible on social media platforms that includes Facebook, X Platform, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. Our members engage effectively through:

  • WhatsApp groups (4 Full Membership Groups).
  • Facebook & X Platform (Boosting over 4.8K Members).

All you have to do is join us, to get involved.

FACEBOOK COMMUNICATION SERVICES
WHATSAPP GROUPS COMMUNICATION SERVICES
X PLATFORM COMMUNICATION SERVICES

LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Executive Management Team

We are a change-oriented leadership that make youth-oriented decisions with youth best interests at heart.

Oscar Sephiri

Wa Mphahlele

Executive Director

Mapaseka

Mosala

Administrative Director

Neo

Manki

Financial Director
1
YEARS
OF EXISTENCE
4.8K
ACQUIRED
MEMBERSHIP
1
SOCIAL
PLATFORMS
1
SUCCESS
STORIES