Prestigious awards highlight urgent need for youth empowerment

Head of Leadership and People Development at Sanlam, Toughieda Hartley, says greater support for young people is essential to unlocking their potential and driving meaningful societal change.

Hartley was honoured with the Best Youth Development Award at this year’s Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, held at the Sandton Convention Centre last night.

She emphasized the importance of investing in youth, describing them as the future drivers of the country’s economy.

“It’s imperative that support is given to the youth, because they are the ones who will carry the economy forward,” Hartley said.

Hartley also urged businesses to play a more active role in bridging gaps in education and access.

“If organisations like ours can participate in the right conversations, and at the right levels, to influence the education system—not just at secondary, but across primary and tertiary levels—the world would be better than it is currently,” she said.

Youth empowerment took centre stage at this year’s Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, which celebrated excellence in transformation and empowerment across South Africa.

Vice President of HR at Schneider Electric, Tanya Ramlagan, echoed Hartley’s sentiments, calling for stronger collaboration between younger and older workers.

Schneider Electric, hailed as the largest digital energy management company globally received the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace Award.

Ramlagan emphasized that DEI is non-negotiable for building a sustainable and profitable workplace.

“We tap into the fact that early-career professionals bring a different way of thinking, particularly around technology, while older generations carry valuable institutional knowledge,” she said

She said the company has made it a priority to provide opportunities for young people and fosters intergenerational collaboration.

Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Nestlé (East and Southern Africa), Connie Sethaelo, encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to lead with service rather than profit.

Nestlé won Sustainable Business of the Year, recognised for its commitment to people and the planet.

“Always think of what you’re giving back to the community. Profit is one thing, but when you give back, people will support your business because they know you care. That’s how you build loyalty and long-term sustainability,” Sethaelo said.

At the 2025 Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference, held alongside the awards, Youth Employment Services CEO, Ravi Naidoo, called on the youth to actively fight for change in the job market.

The two-day conference, themed “Shaping Youth Careers in Underserved Communities,” hosted nearly 50 speakers, who stressed the need for structural reform in recruitment and stronger collaboration between government and youth-owned businesses.

“Young people must fight for change, even if some in the older generation won’t like it,” he said.

Naidoo urged companies to create internship programmes that allow young people to thrive, and to empower them to adapt to the real world early on.

 

Vice President of Finance at Merchants, Etebogeng Llale, encouraged young professionals to be intentional with their finances as a means to achieve peace and stability in life.

Llale spoke on the importance of respect and professionalism in both home and work environments, describing it as the foundation of teamwork and leadership.

“Respect starts at home—how you interact with your parents and siblings translates to how you work with colleagues. Respecting roles at work fosters a healthy, collaborative culture.”

Llale said financial planning starts with understanding what you have and where you want to go.

“Don’t just live—plan your world,” advised Llale.

 

Written by: Odirile Rabalao