ABOUT THIS PROJECT
SkillUpSA is a youth-led podcast and digital empowerment platform created to bridge the gap between young South Africans and real opportunities in skills development, bursaries and career readiness.
Every week, we produce content that helps Matriculants, TVET students and unemployed youth access:
- Learnerships, Internships and bursaries through SETAs
- Career guidance from industry professionals
- Digital mentorship via WhatsApp voice notes
- Insights into sectors like mining, banking, tourism and more.
We speak their language, meet them where they are (on their phones), and give them tools to move forward.
With this campaign, we are raising R50,000 to support 100 youth over the next 3 months with:
- Data Access
- Career mentorship
- Podcast content and outreach
- Updated bursary and skills information
We are already seeing real results: Students applying for bursaries, finding direction and believing in their future again.
If you believe in youth, this is your moment to act.
Donate, share and be part of helping young South Africans Skill Up.
THE BACKGROUND
South Africa is full of bright, determined young people - but too many are left behind simply because they don't know where to start.
After years of working in youth development and community training, we saw the same pattern over and over again
- Students finishing TVET or high school without any guidance
- Young people unaware of SETA opportunities, bursaries, or how to apply
- Frustration due to expensive data, unclear information and isolation
We launched SkillUpSA early this year to change that.
Starting as a Podcast, SkillUpSA quickly became more than just a platform. It became a lifeline - providing:
- Weekly episodes with real opportunities
- Clear pathways into bursaries and internships
- WhatsApp mentorship and practical support
- Hope, direction and motivation
We have featured sectors like mining, banking, agriculture, wholesale and Retail, worked with youth voices and heard stories from students who say:
'SkillUpSA opened my eyes. I applied for something I never knew existed.'
Now, we want to grow. With your help, we will reach more youth, deepen our impact and give every student the confidence to say: ' I know what to do next'.
THE PLAN
We are raising R50,000 to expand SkillUpSA's reach and impact over the next 3 months, supporting at least 100 youth with tools, information and mentorship to guide their careers.
This is how we will use the funds:
Area. Purpose Budget (ZAR)
Data Support Provide mobile data to 100 students/unemployed so they can access the podcast and tools. R10,000
Podcast Production. Sound editing, hosting fees, episode scripting and guest coordination R12,000
Voice Note Mentorship. Weekly WhatsApp audio support and career tips R8,000
Content & Research Keeping bursary and job info updated, accessible and easy to understand R6,000
Social Media & Outreach Creating content for YouTube Shorts R6,000
Intern Stipends. Supporting 2 youth interns managing editing, posting & student engagement R8,000
Timeline
Month Key Milestones
Month 1 Data disbursement, student intake, 4 podcast episodes published
Month 2 Guest featured, launch youth-led social campaign on career tips
Month 3 Host first live Q&A (YouTube), collect student testimonials, publish report
What Success Looks Like
By the end of this 3-month campaign, we aim to:
- Reach 100+ youth with meaningful content and data access
- Launch 12 new episodes with actionable career and funding information
- Feature at least 2 guests from industry or SETA's
- Receive at least 20 success stories from students helped by the platform
With your support, we are not just raising funds - we are raising futures.
YOUR REWARDS
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Pledge R100 = Reward #1! Youth Ally
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- As a Youth Ally, your pledge directly supports one student with mobile data and access to SkillupSA’s podcast, mentorship voice notes, and curated bursary/career information for one full week.
- You’ll receive:
- A thank-you shoutout on our social media (optional)
- The knowledge that you’ve helped a young person take one real step forward toward their future
- Your contribution helps close the access gap—and gives a young person hope and direction.
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Pledge R250 = Reward #1! Career Champion
- As a Career Champion, your pledge empowers a student with a full month of SkillupSA access, including:
- Weekly podcast episodes
- Voice note mentorship via WhatsApp
- Updated bursary alerts and SETA opportunities
- Career tips and personal support via our youth team
- You’ll receive:
- A personal thank-you email from the SkillupSA team
- Optional recognition on our podcast and social media
- A digital supporter certificate to acknowledge your impact
- Regular campaign updates and student stories
- Your support gives a young person 4 weeks of guidance, clarity, and connection.
- As a Career Champion, your pledge empowers a student with a full month of SkillupSA access, including:
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Pledge R500 = Reward #1! Future Builder
- As a Future Builder, your pledge covers the complete SkillupSA programme for one student.
- This includes:
- 1-on-1 mentorship voice notes from our team
- Access to all podcast episodes and bursary resources
- Participation in our WhatsApp Q&A group
- Personal guidance and curated career opportunities
- Monthly check-ins with our youth interns and supporters
- You’ll receive:
- A sponsored student story update showing your impact
- Recognition in our next episode (with your permission)
- First access to future SkillupSA events, Q&As, and reports
- With this level, you’re not just donating. You’re changing a life.
Project FAQ
Who am I?
- I am Constance Mokone, I'm one of the founders of SkillUpSA.
- I'm a youth development practitioner, trainer and podcast creator with over 20 years of experience working with young people in South Africa - especially those from under-resourced communities. I have seen firsthand the frustration and hopelessness that many students feel after finishing high school or college, with no map, no money and no one to guide them.
- We started SkillUpSA because we knew one thing for sure: Our young people don't lack talent - they lack access.
- We wanted to build a platform where they could get clear, local information about bursaries and skills programmes, and feel like someone was walking the journey with them.
- With no budget or funding, just belief and passion, we launched the podcast and began reaching students, one episode at a time. Their feedback, excitement and transformation are what drive me.
- Now, with your help, we can do even more - and make access to opportunity something every young South African can count on.
Where are we based?
- We are based in Johannesburg, Gauteng
Why Crowdfunding?
- We chose crowdfunding because this is a community -driven project - built for young people, by people who care about their future.
- SkillUpSA is not backed by corporations or big donors (yet). It's grown through passion, grit and community support. Crowdfunding allows us to: Stay independent and true to our mission. Raise funds quickly to meet urgent youth needs (like data and mentorship). Invite people like you to be part of the solution and build a network of champions who believe in youth empowerment.
- When you give- even just R50 - you are not just donating to a podcast. You are investing in a young person's confidence, career path and sense of possibility.
- We believe that many people, giving what they can, can make a massive difference.
- That's the power of crowdfunding. That's the power of us.
What is the plan once 100% funding is received?
- Once we reach our funding goal of R50,000, we will immediately begin rolling out our 3-month action plan to support 100 youth with skills access, mentorship and opportunity.
- Here is what we will do next:
- Direct Support for 100 Youth - Distribute data bundles so they can access the podcast and career tools.
- Enroll students into a WhatsApp mentorship programme
- Create a group for career updates, voice notes and check-ins
- Scale our Podcast Episodes - Create multiple content pieces from one episode to reach youth on platforms they use. Scale by Featuring More Diverse Voices, Scale Distribution (More Platforms = More Reach), Scale Through Series or Thematic Mini-Campaigns, Revisit & Remix Past Episodes, Build Partnerships to Amplify.
- Pay youth interns to Keep the Platform Running - Support 2 part-time youth interns handling research, editing, posting and community engagement. Give them hands-on experience and a stipend to continue building SkillUpSA with us.
- Report Back to You - We will publish a simple impact report showing:
- How funds were used
- Stories of youth we helped
- Insights gained and the road ahead
- All donors will be acknowledged (unless anonymous) and invited to future community updates.
- After That - Our goal is to build momentum and seek larger partnerships, sponsors and long-term funding - so SkillUpSA becomes a sustainable platform for youth career empowerment in South Africa.