1998 was a difficult year in South Africa. A tough economic climate, political anxiety, the relentless scourge of crime and decreasing levels of business confidence combined to give many South African professionals reasons to seek greener pastures in mainly North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
During the ensuing “brain drain”, a silent majority of young South African professionals stayed and quietly got on with the business of building the country and contributing to the economy. They remained steadfast and assured in their beliefs that the country had seen the back of its worst years, that the economy would continually improve and that South Africa would emerge as a progressive example to developing nations and to the rest of the world.
These beliefs were maintained in the face of much negative media sentiment about South Africa. The overwhelming focus was on the indisputable challenges the country faced without sufficient acknowledgment of the progress that was continually being made. These young South Africans maintained their positive outlook but became tired of doing so quietly.
In 1998, a group of young "twenty-something’s" convened to incorporate Young Business for South Africa as a not-for-profit organisation. The organisation provided a platform for young professionals to network and share pertinent information that showed that the country had a prosperous future.
They encouraged their peers to join them in their efforts to discuss and debate the various socio-economic challenges in the country, the potential solutions and the opportunities that a steadily growing economy was providing. Through YBSA, they engaged captains of industry, political leaders, public officials and social activists. They encouraged these leaders to share their knowledge and to participate in YBSA’s efforts to educate and inform the business-minded working youth of South Africa. YBSA began to inspire and motivate the future leaders of the country to be proactive in its development.
More than 10 years later, YBSA’s mandate has matured. The organisation has identified the need for effective leadership in all arenas as Africa’s single biggest challenge. It is a fundamental prerequisite for all government, private sector and community efforts that aim to successfully build economic prosperity and social cohesion on our continent. Looking forward, YBSA has adopted the challenge of developing the future leadership of Africa.
