By Kasia Rybarczyk

When Asemahle Tinti joined Just Grace in 2023, she was going through a difficult period.

After successfully completing her first trimester at Northlink College, she was forced to leave when her NSFAS funding did not come through. Without the money to cover tuition or even transport to campus, continuing her studies was no longer possible.

“I felt lost, with no direction and no support. I wanted to study and build a future, but it felt like every door was closed.”

Worried and unsure of what to do next, Asemahle was looking for an opportunity to learn a practical skill and regain a sense of direction. That opportunity came when she discovered Just Grace.

Building skills and confidence

“When I heard about Just Grace, it felt like the opportunity I had been waiting for. A place where I could learn, grow, and finally take a step toward a better future” – she says.

Through Just Grace’s skills development programme, Asemahle trained as a barista, learning everything from preparing different types of coffee and steaming milk to latte art and customer service.

For her, however, the training represented much more than learning how to make coffee.

“The biggest impact was learning a practical skill that I could actually use to get a job. It gave me confidence because I went from feeling stuck to knowing I could make something with my own hands and serve people with pride.”

After completing the programme, that new skill quickly began opening doors.

From training to employment

Using her Just Grace certificate, Asemahle secured a barista position at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) through Zest Agency in May 2024.

Just Grace also supported her application to Nukakamma Hospitality School, where her existing barista training helped her gain admission.

In April 2025, she began an intensive hospitality programme consisting of six months of training followed by a five-month internship. The programme prepared participants for employment opportunities with Club Med South Africa.

This year, Asemahle was able to relocate to Durban to take the next step in her career, where she now works as a barista at Club Med South Africa.

A future that feels possible

For Asemahle, the biggest transformation has been the change in what she believes is possible for her future.

“Just Grace changed my life because now I feel like I can go anywhere – even overseas.”

From being unable to continue her education and struggling to build a life for herself, she has gained professional experience and created a pathway into the hospitality industry.

“I went from feeling stuck and jobless to being skilled, working, and proud of what I do. Just Grace gave me direction, skills, and hope.”

She wants to share a message with those considering supporting Just Grace:

“Your support really does change lives. You’re not just giving training. You’re giving someone a future.”

By Kasia Rybarczyk

We’re proud to share the Just Grace Annual Report 2025. It highlights a year where we doubled down on equipping young people and community members in Langa with the tools to navigate an increasingly competitive and uncertain future.

In 2025, we saw what’s possible when people are supported holistically. From a 90.6% matric pass rate to victims of GBV gaining independence and securing employment, the results speak for themselves.

What You’ll Find in the 2025 Annual Report

Inside, you’ll find:

• Concrete programme results such as an 84% activation rate in our Youth Activation Programme, with participants moving into employment, further education, or training often within weeks of completion
• Insights into our skills development model, showing how technical training (barista, sewing, accounting) is combined with digital literacy, work-readiness, and psychosocial support to drive long-term employability
• Education outcomes that go beyond academics, including a 90.6% matric pass rate, as well as measurable growth in confidence, motivation, and future readiness among learners
• Real stories behind the data from young people gaining their first job to learners overcoming significant barriers and re-engaging with education
• A deeper look at community realities, highlighting the structural challenges participants face, such as limited access to technology and low household income, and how our programmes respond to them
• New and evolving initiatives, for example, a pilot programme supporting survivors of gender-based violence with skills training and pathways to economic independence
• Financial transparency and sustainability efforts explaining how social enterprises like Cela Coffee and sewing initiatives contribute to long-term impact

Each number in the report represents real lives touched and real progress made.

We invite you to explore the full Annual Report 2025 and see the difference we’ve made together.

Thank You

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your support and allow us to continue our mission and expand our impact.

By Kasia Rybarczyk

Many learners in South Africa receive education that falls short of the quality they deserve. Key challenges include overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and disparities in access to quality education between urban and rural areas. These systemic issues contribute to high dropout rates and low matric pass percentages, underscoring the need for programmes like Just Grace’s Youth Development Programme (YDP).

Through our Youth Development Programme, we support learners in Langa throughout high school to help them progress into further education, training,  or employment. We make this possible by offering a variety of activities, including life skills and academic support to book clubs, computer training, leadership development, coding, job shadowing, and career guidance. On top of that, we provide youth with psychosocial support to help them overcome the mental health challenges that frequently stem from socio-economic conditions and difficult upbringings. 

Studies show that such holistic approaches that combine academic, after-school, and emotional support significantly improve learner retention and success. According to research summarized in “Afterschool Program Quality and Student Outcomes: Reflections on Positive Key Findings on Learning and Development From Recent Research,” high-quality learning programs offer a blend of academic and developmental activities, and promote student engagement, mastery of skills, and autonomy. Still, the true impact of YDP is best seen in the words of learners themselves.

Building a Diverse Skillset

HOur Youth Development Programme (YDP) helps learners reach their full potential and strengthen their technical and academic skills. 

“The biggest skill I have gained from the programme is learning how to code,” shares Enkosi (Grade 11), while Owam (Grade 9) highlights learning to manage his study time more effectively. For Iyanda (Grade 9), the biggest value lies in soft skills, in particular collaboration: “The biggest skill I have gained from the programme is peer-to-peer learning and studying with learners from different schools.”

But the YDP’s impact extends beyond hard and soft skills. 

For Grade 11 learner Bukhobenkosi, one of the most valuable lessons has been the ability to connect and communicate with peers from different schools. “Communicating with other learners from different schools,” he says, “has been the biggest skill I’ve gained from the programme.” 

That sentiment is shared by Grade 10 learner Somila, who adds, “The biggest skill I have gained from the programme is learning how to communicate effectively.”

These stories paint a picture of a programme that blends personal growth with practical skill-building necessary for young people to advance academically and professionally. This is important because, as revealed by a recent study on employability competencies, intrapersonal competencies significantly influence interpersonal skills, which are essential for workplace communication and collaboration. This further proves that the development of both technical and interpersonal skills is crucial for improving youth’s employability and adaptability in South Africa’s job market.

Changing Mindsets

In addition to teaching new skills. YDP changes learners’ perspectives and helps them have a clearer vision for their futures. 

“The programme has helped me improve academically and stay motivated and positive about my future,” says Bukhobenkosi, who credits the experience with helping him avoid procrastination and focus on what matters most. Enkosi agrees: “As a Grade 11 learner, the programme helps me become a better student and motivates me to succeed in the future.”

For Somila, the lessons have been deeply personal: “It has made me realise that everything I do has either positive or negative consequences

By participating in the programme, young people realise that success begins with the right mindset.

Brighter Outlook on Life

When asked to sum up what YDP means to them, the learners’ responses were heartfelt. 

“This programme gives me hope for my future and the future of my peers,” says Bukhobenkosi. Enkosi adds, “The programme motivates me to become the person I aspire to be.” For Somila, it’s a safe space that builds confidence: “It makes me believe I can be a better person. It provides a safe space where I can improve my academic performance.”

Finally, both Iyanda and Owam emphasise transformation and progress: from better marks to a brighter future. 

The Youth Development Programme is shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. Through mentorship, academic support, and creative learning opportunities, it provides young people with the ability to pursue their goals.

With South Africa’s youth unemployment rate exceeding 50% in some regions, programmes like YDP are essential for empowering young people to break cycles of poverty and contribute meaningfully to society’s future economic and social development.