H&M Strengthens Youth Empowerment Drive in South Africa
H&M Strengthens Youth Empowerment Drive in South Africa. H&M South Africa has marked the start of Youth Month with a R1 million donation to the non-profit organisation and school-based programme Star for Life, expanding its long-standing partnership focused on youth development, education and gender equality.
The contribution is aimed at strengthening existing programmes that equip young people with skills, confidence and support systems intended to help them navigate social and economic challenges while building pathways toward leadership and opportunity.
According to Star for Life South Africa executive director Precious Dlamini, the partnership plays a role in creating environments where young people can develop both personally and socially.
She noted that initiatives of this nature are designed to help learners build resilience and self-belief while contributing positively to their communities.
In the previous year, H&M South Africa donated R800,000 to support initiatives focused on gender equality, awareness around gender-based violence, and programmes aimed at empowering young girls.
The latest funding will continue to support the organisation’s “Daughters of Africa” Girls Clubs, which operate across several schools in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, including Ikusasalethu Secondary School and Letsibogo Girls High School in Soweto, Zenzeleni Mashamase High School in Mtunzini, and Shumayela Secondary School in Umlazi.
The programme is also expanding into the Western Cape with a new Girls Club introduced at Wesbank Secondary School in Malmesbury.
A key development in this phase of the partnership is the introduction of a Boys Club at Wesbank Secondary School. The initiative is designed to create structured spaces for boys to engage in dialogue around self-leadership, emotional well-being, respect and gender equality.
The Girls and Boys Club sessions are facilitated by registered social workers and follow a structured curriculum that focuses on challenging harmful social norms, strengthening decision-making abilities and building leadership skills among learners.
The partnership also continues to support GBV prevention and awareness initiatives led by Star for Life GBV champion Londiwe Nyawo, who is involved in advocacy, survivor support and community education efforts.
H&M South Africa said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to social impact through its “A Bag for Change” programme, which channels 50% of proceeds from shopping bag charges into community-focused development initiatives.
H&M South Africa country HR and acting country manager Keroshan Naidoo said the partnership reflects the company’s ongoing focus on youth empowerment and gender equality, highlighting the importance of programmes that develop confidence, leadership and resilience among young people.
