As South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, one Pretoria-based organisation is steadily building a model that is turning educational deficits into economic opportunity. POPUP Upliftment NPC, a registered non-profit company founded in 1998, is positioning itself as a catalyst for long-term transformation by equipping young adults with the skills, character, and workplace readiness needed to become active contributors to society.
Originally born of a response to social brokenness in Pretoria’s inner city, POPUP has evolved over more than two decades into a structured, outcomes-driven organisation focused on youth aged 18 to 35 who are classified as NEETs — Not in Employment, Education, or Training. These young people often enter the organisation’s programmes carrying significant literacy and numeracy gaps, limited access to opportunity and, in many cases, diminished hope for the future.
Rather than offering short-term relief, POPUP has developed a phased pathway that moves learners from foundational support to sustainable employment. The journey begins with baseline assessments and integrated bridging programmes, where literacy, numeracy, and META skills, including communication, teamwork, character formation, and problem-solving, are taught concurrently to build a strong personal foundation. Learners then progress to technical and vocational training, workplace-readiness preparation, and, ultimately, placement in employment, internships, or entrepreneurial ventures.
The organisation’s 2024 impact figures highlight measurable progress. During the year, 747 learners were trained in technical and vocational programmes, while 1,148 skills programmes were completed. Most notably, 231 young people were placed into income-earning opportunities, a 129% increase from the previous year. Those placed earned an average monthly income of R4,000, more than double South Africa’s upper-bound poverty line. As a result, 1,960 people were directly raised out of poverty, with an estimated 4,600 individuals impacted indirectly through household support and extended family networks.
Since its inception, POPUP has trained 9,489 learners. In addition to job placements, the organisation has also introduced entrepreneurship pathways, with its first cohort achieving a sustainability rate of nearly 28% through either permanent employment or running viable informal businesses.
Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emile Raubenheimer, has noted that while progress has been significant, the broader national challenge remains urgent. With millions of young South Africans outside the labour market, the organisation is working to scale its placement capacity to reach 1,000 placements annually by 2025 and 10,000 by 2028 through a replication model and stronger ecosystem partnerships.
POPUP’s model integrates social impact with financial accountability. Forty per cent of its income is generated through shared value activities, and for every R1 invested, the organisation reports that R3.21 of educational value is created, reflecting an impact yield of 320%. The organisation aligns its work with seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, and Poverty Reduction.
Beyond statistics, the philosophy at POPUP centres on restoring dignity and unlocking potential. Its vision is to see cities where every person is treated with dignity, lives with significance, and makes a positive contribution. By combining character development, accredited training, workplace exposure, and strong employer partnerships, POPUP seeks to produce what it describes as “city changers”—young people capable of influencing both the economy and their communities.
As part of its broader effort to mobilise leaders and strengthen collaboration between business, government, and the social sector, POPUP will host an upcoming event titled “The Grand – Faith, Favour and the Future” on June 19 at Silverlakes Farm Hotel. The gathering is expected to bring together leaders and change-makers committed to aligning influence with long-term societal impact.
The deadline to reserve your seat or book a table is 10 June. To secure your place, please visit: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/360617-the-grand-faith-favour-the-future/#/
