The YOBAs is thrilled to announce the return of Proudly South African as an official partner for the 2025 edition. After a successful partnership in 2024, Proudly SA reaffirms its support by once again sponsoring the Top Manufacturing Category, a key initiative to promote locally made goods and empower youth-led enterprises.
Backing Youth in Local Manufacturing
This renewed collaboration reflects Proudly SA’s ongoing commitment to advancing youth entrepreneurship and local industry development. By shining a spotlight on young manufacturers, the partnership aims to inspire a new wave of local innovators to embrace South African production and contribute to job creation and economic resilience. Through the Top Manufacturing Category, the organisation aims to give praise on young innovators who are using home-grown talent and resources to create proudly South African products.
Investing in Youth to Power Local Progress
Echoing the sentiment, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, Chief Marketing Officer of Proudly SA, added, “We support the YOBAs because they uplift the innovation and drive of young brand builders. The youth are central to our economic future. Initiatives like these fuel job creation and growth, and we urge more young people to make their mark in local manufacturing.”
“Our partnership with Proudly SA solidifies our mission of celebrating youth excellence in brand building whilst promoting local manufacturing,” said Pat Mahlangu, Founder and CEO of the YOBAs. “Together, we want to encourage more young entrepreneurs to establish manufacturing businesses, create jobs, and build brands that contribute to the national economy.”
By showcasing youth-led manufacturing success stories, this partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of brand builders to consider local production not only as a viable business model but as a powerful tool for nation-building. It also aligns closely with Proudly SA’s core mandate — to advance job creation by supporting local enterprises across industries.
Homegrown Creativity: Proudly SA Celebrates Youth Shaping South Africa
As anticipation builds for this year’s celebration, Proudly SA’s renewed involvement underscores the broader call to action: support local, empower the youth, and invest in South Africa’s future. With the manufacturing category once again under Proudly SA’s stewardship, the 2025 YOBAs are set to highlight the remarkable achievements of young South Africans who are not just building brands, they are building the nation.
The 2025 Top 16 YOBAs will take place on Saturday, 21 June 2025, honoring standout young entrepreneurs across 18 diverse categories. Get your tickets at webtickets.com
