Absa Empowers Youth Through Creative and Small-Business Programmes
Absa Empowers Youth Through Creative and Small-Business Programmes. Absa Group has expanded its commitment to South Africa’s creative and small-business sectors with the launch of the 2025 Training, Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The initiative is delivered in partnership with the David Tlale Youth Academy (DTA) and the Legends Barber Academy, reflecting the bank’s focus on equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools, confidence, and skills needed to succeed in high-potential industries.
The Legends Barber Academy, founded by entrepreneur Sheldon Tatchell, will run from 26 November 2025 to 30 March 2027, supported by an Absa grant aimed at developing youth skills and business readiness within South Africa’s growing grooming industry. The programme will provide participants with technical expertise, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial readiness, while also connecting them with networks that support long-term business sustainability.
Clement Motale, interim managing executive for Corporate Citizenship at Absa Group, emphasised the strategic importance of supporting creative and entrepreneurial talent. “This partnership with the David Tlale Youth Academy and the Legends Barber Academy is about unlocking the boundless potential of young creatives by equipping them with the skills, confidence and entrepreneurial tools to turn talent into opportunity. We want young people to see themselves not only as designers, but as future business owners who can transform their communities through creativity,” Motale said.
These collaborations form a central pillar of Absa’s long-standing efforts to nurture entrepreneurs across age groups and industries. From classrooms and campuses to township backrooms where many ventures begin, Absa has consistently provided support for the next generation of innovators, helping them turn ideas into viable enterprises.
Absa’s national flagship initiatives include the Youth African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI), the USAf Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Innovation Challenge, the She’s NEXT programme for women entrepreneurs, Junior Achievement South Africa, and the Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropy Makers Academy. Together, these programmes demonstrate Absa’s mission to provide young entrepreneurs with the resources, networks, and guidance needed to develop sustainable businesses.
Motale added: “Entrepreneurship is for everyone. Whether a young person discovers their passion in a classroom, a campus incubator, a township backroom or a creative studio, our role is to ensure they have the support to bring their ideas to life. Our programmes are designed to open doors, build confidence and create economic possibilities in communities across the country.”
By deepening its support across sectors ranging from grooming to fashion and textiles, Absa is broadening its impact while prioritising inclusion, industry diversification, and youth participation. Through these initiatives, the bank reaffirms its commitment to equipping South Africa’s youth with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to shape the future of entrepreneurship.
Participants in the 2025 programmes will gain access to training, mentorship, and networks that strengthen their ability to create sustainable businesses, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economic growth and innovation landscape.
