NEWF Expands Youth Employment Through YES Programme in Partnership with Wild Impact
eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) is proud to announce the successful onboarding of 38 local youth as part of its internship programme in partnership with Wild Impact, under the national Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative. This initiative aims to create meaningful work experiences for young South Africans and equip them with the skills and confidence to enter the workforce.
Initially anticipating just 20 placements, NEWF responded to overwhelming interest from the Sodwana Bay, Mbazwana, and surrounding communities by expanding to accommodate 38 interns across a range of departments. Interns are now gaining hands-on experience in administration, housekeeping, kitchen and catering, gardening and maintenance, dive training, lifeguarding, and media.
The two-day NEWF intern induction, hosted by the warm, wise, and ever-empowering Barbara Lawrence -Strydom, a visionary strategist, explorer, indigenous and heritage storyteller, diversity practitioner, and transformation translator with over 18 years of experience in the financial industry. Aunty B - as she is affectionately known - is committed to promoting self-reliance, abundance, and succession through responsible stewardship, sustainable environmental practices, and equity.
A transformative encounter deeply rooted in African values, self-awareness, storytelling, and leadership; her Toolbox Experience laid the foundation for a powerful year of growth and learning; offering structure, purpose, community, and a vision. Guided by tactile vision boarding techniques, the interns were challenged to look inward, reach outward, and recognise that they are not just participants - but future change makers anchored in storytelling, self-knowledge, wellness, and purpose.
The YES programme, launched in 2018, is a national public-private partnership that enables businesses to contribute directly to tackling South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. Corporates fund the creation of youth work opportunities and partner with implementation agents like Wild Impact, who help to deliver job placements through on-the-ground organisations like NEWF.
“Our growing team of interns is not only a reflection of the YES programme’s impact, but also of the deep desire within local communities to be a part of the NEWF movement. This work is as much about nurturing the next generation of conservation storytellers as it is about strengthening the local economy and building lasting community capacity”
Wild Impact – formerly the Africa Foundation – plays a key role as an implementation partner, managing youth employment placements across various community-based programmes. To date, Wild Impact has supported over 3,053 Internship work placements for youth with the support of 268 Programme placement partners, including NEWF.
Alumni like Marcia Buwa and Luyanda Shabalala began their journeys through YES-funded placements in 2018/2019. The programme has continued to be a launching pad for future leaders in the conservation and creative industries. Notably, Mlungisi Ntuli onboarded 70 interns for the first time after Andrew Venter – now CEO of Wild Impact – watched The River Gives - a film that won support in the NEWF Pitch - and recognised the need for deeper engagement with youth talent.
“With our network of fellows and mentors offering their time to engage the interns in tailored workshops and programs over the next year, we look forward to deepening our commitment to the community in a meaningful way that represents our passionate theory of change.”
In 2024, four interns were placed at eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre through Wild Impact as part of the YES programme, further embedding youth opportunity within NEWF’s mission to enhance capacity in filmmaking, science and conservation in Africa. This year, as NEWF invited fellows and mentors stream in to support the program through a series of tailored workshops and opportunities, they also celebrate the formal employment of two of the aforementioned interns, Lebo Mbuyazi and Nkosi Mthembu - well known and loved in the community - who will be strengthening their contributions through their new roles as eKhaya Manager-in-Training and Dive Instructor and Media Manager-in-training respectively, which will include opportunities to steer a number of the newly inducted interns.
For more information about NEWF and its initiatives, connect with us at connect@newf.co.za
ABout NEWF
Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) is a platform dedicated to growing a representative and inclusive community of African conservation content creators. Through training, mentorship, funding, and internship programmes, NEWF empowers emerging filmmakers, scientists, and storytellers to bring African perspectives to global environmental narratives.
About WILD IMPACT
Wild Impact is a registered YES implementation partner working to enable thriving communities through equitable access to opportunity. With a focus on education, enterprise development, youth employment, and conservation, Wild Impact partners with corporates and local organisations to build sustainable futures.
Learn more about Wild Impact’s youth employment here.
