South African youth is currently confronted with a myriad of issues, including the high unemployment rate, poor educational results, poverty, and less-than-ideal mental and physical health. According to Stats SA, 20,4 million young people aged 15 to 34 accounted for 63,3% of the total number of unemployed persons in the first quarter of 2020. 

This alarming state of affairs encouraged North-West University (NWU) second-year student Kgomotsego Lekgoe to start an organisation that assists young people to make a positive impact in their own lives and in South Africa.

ReacHigher Expressa aims to reach out to the youth through developmental programmes to address unemployment, poverty and education, and all South Africans under the age of 35 years can sign up.

“Through this initiative, we want to work with young people to help them find meaningful employment through partnerships with government and the private sector. We would also like to encourage entrepreneurship and assist them to access higher education and funding,” says Kgomotsego.

Thabang Tlale, NWU Student Campus Council chairperson, says he is very excited about this initiative. “I believe this will make a difference in the lives of the young people of our country. 

“True to the NWU pay-off line, ‘It all starts here’, we as future leaders have to create hope for an even better tomorrow.”

Kgomotsego Lekgoe started the organisation ReacHiger Expressa to assist South African youth.