Mastercard hired fifteen youths for the YES program in South Africa

A corporate hiring move just shoved real jobs into a brutal youth unemployment mess, betting that paid experience beats speeches every time.

YES intake and intent

• Mastercard brought in a new YES youth intake.
• The effort ties into the national YES drive.
• The aim centers on future-ready skills, not token placements.
• South Africa’s talent pipeline gets a practical nudge.

What the youth actually do

• Participants plug directly into internal teams.
• Each person tackles meaningful digital-era assignments.
• Mentors guide them through real workplace pressure.
• The stint runs long enough to build confidence.

Why this matters economically

• Youth joblessness for ages 15 to 24 hit 58.5%.
• That figure landed during Q3 2025.
• The gap between schooling and work stays wide.
• Programs like this try to narrow it with action.

Cohort size and structure

• Fifteen candidates landed spots in the 2025 - 2026 cycle.
• They rotate through training and applied learning.
• Networks grow alongside technical and soft skills.
• Early career footing becomes less shaky.

Voices behind the program

• Gabriel Swanepoel framed youth development as economic insurance.
• He stressed workforce access over abstract promises.
• Ravi Naidoo backed hands-on guidance as the unlock.
• Alumni like Nishalia Pillay credit the program for career momentum.