Life Choices

09/10/2026

Life Choices is proud to be a founding member of NASCEE, the National Association of Social Change Entities in Education, a national network of education non-profit organisations working together to strengthen South Africa's education system.

As members, we took the NASCEE pledge, which reflects values that have always been at the heart of our work:

"We work towards building a high-quality equitable system for all South Africans. Our work is motivated by a desire to improve the lives of South Africans and not to make a profit.

We commit to supporting lifelong learning in South Africa through innovation, advocacy and the development of inclusive, accountable and professional practice."

09/10/2026

Congratulations to the YouthCode graduates of 2026!

Over the past six months, you’ve learned how to think like engineers, solve problems creatively, and turn your ideas into real opportunities.

Through lots of testing, fixing, building, and trying again, you’ve come a long way and reached an important milestone.

We’re excited to see what you do next and look forward to the amazing systems, platforms, and solutions you’ll create in the future. Well done!

05/10/2026

On 24 September 2026, we brought our young leaders together for a powerful Heritage Day session that completely threw out the rulebook. No dusty textbook definitions here - just honest conversations about what heritage actually costs, what it means today, and who gets to hold the pen in defining it.

A massive shoutout to our incredible partners who made this space possible: Kids Theatre, Iphupha Lam Afterschool Program, Life Choices, and the SA Sendinggestig Museum.

From fierce, eye-opening dialogue to learners showcasing breathtaking photography and original artwork, our youth proved that heritage has a visual voice just as powerful as the spoken one. No topic was off-limits, and no voice was too small as they challenged each other’s perspectives on identity, belonging, and community.

This is what growth looks like: young people showing up, speaking up, and mastering the art of holding space for views different from their own.

So proud of every single voice, every masterpiece on display, and the unstoppable momentum of our youth!

24/09/2026

Today, we celebrate the many stories, traditions, languages, and experiences that make South Africa who we are. Our heritage may be different, but it connects us through a shared sense of belonging, community, and hope for the future.

Here’s to celebrating our diversity, learning from one another, and building a future we can all be proud of. ❤️💛💚💙

10/09/2026

For the past 21 years, Life Choices has empowered more than 200,000 young people in Cape Town to rise, thrive, and lead with purpose. As we step into our next chapter, we are looking for two dedicated, Cape Town-based leaders to join our volunteer Board. If you have the professional expertise, a strong drive to give back, and a passion for youth development, we would love to hear from you. Please see the advert for the full details and requirements.

For more information, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RDuR6QJPQiZhShOiGpCzfnU2fX9tuG0i/view?usp=drive_link

01/09/2026

We are incredibly proud of three of our Grade 11 learning partners from the Leaders’ Quest Programme, who represented us at the 2026 Regional Speech Competition.

Siphesihle Moses
Thato Mohloali
Aluta Arosi

Hosted by the Western Cape Government in partnership with the SA Sendinggestig Museum, the competition created a powerful platform for young people to reflect on their relationship with museums, history, and belonging.

The speakers explored three important themes:
History, Memory and Healing
Youth Voice and Belonging
Access and Inclusion

Under the theme “Giving Young People a Voice, Preserving Our History and Building a Better Future,” our young people stepped onto the stage and did exactly that.
We are especially excited to share that all three of our finalists have progressed to the Provincial Round on 23 October 2026.

A special thank you to our partnering museums, Cape Town Museum and Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, for helping to create opportunities like this for young people.

Behind every confident speaker is a coach who has invested time, patience and care into the process. Our coaches Yamkela Nkinqa, Aphelele Emmete and Zinziswa Nongavu all worked with the learning partners not simply to prepare them for a competition, but to help them own the space, own their stories and speak with confidence.

For us, this is what youth development is about.

It is about creating spaces where young people can find their voices, build confidence, imagine new possibilities and begin to see themselves as leaders who can shape their communities and their futures.

We can't wait to see Aluta, Thato and Siphesihle take the stage again at the Provincial Round.

28/08/2026

🌟 Join Life Choices Academy and kickstart a career in the ICT sector! 🚀

Based in Cape Town and eager to secure a job in the ever-growing field of technology? Look no further!

Life Choices Academy presents YouthCode - a comprehensive 12-month training programme designed specifically for unemployed youth interested in software development. This immersive programme includes a 6-month full-stack web development course followed by a 6-month industry-related internship. Join us to learn the skills necessary to unlock exciting employment opportunities.

📢 Applications are now OPEN! Don't miss the chance to apply and secure a future in tech. The course is scheduled to start on the 5th October 2026.

Requirements:
✅ Matric certificate
✅ Age between 18 and 25
✅ Residing in Cape Town
✅ South African citizen

Please note that the program is exclusively offered as a full-time onsite experience at our Life Choices Academy Campus in Lansdowne, Cape Town.

Ready to change things up? Click here https://forms.gle/5zfGkc74s2oEc2Et9 and apply today!

Kickstart your career in the ICT sector now with Life Choices Academy and its YouthCode project aiming to educate and equip Cape Town-based youth for employment in the high demand tech sector. YouthCode This is a full-time 12-month course that prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the soft...

21/08/2026

There is something powerful about having your story heard, witnessed and reflected back to you.

We are grateful to have partnered with GroundSpring Playback Theatre to create a space where stories could be shared, witnessed and transformed through theatre.

There was no script. The stories in the room became the performance, creating moments of connection, reflection and, at times, deep emotion.

A special thank you to Lilitha Madikizela and Ncumisa for helping to hold the space with such care and ensuring that both the women and men felt supported throughout the session.

And thank you to the GroundSpring team and their Director Lesley Palmer for reminding us of the power of our stories.

Our stories matter. How we hold them together matters too.

20/08/2026

Our Grade 11 learner, Linoxolo Zwelinjani, has achieved 1st position across the entire Grade 11 cohort at New Eisleben in the June results! What an incredible achievement and a reflection of her hard work, commitment, and determination.

We are equally proud of Nkcubeko Mgwebi, who placed among the Top 10 Grade 11 learners at the school.

A special shoutout to their Leaders’ Quest Coach, Yamkela Nkinqa, for walking alongside these young people, supporting their growth, and celebrating their achievements with them.

These moments remind us why investing in young people, creating spaces where they feel supported, and encouraging them to believe in themselves matters.

Well done, Linoxolo and Nkcubeko! We are so proud of you. Keep going!

14/08/2026

So proud of our Grade 10 Leaders' Quest learners! On 29 July 2026, they hosted their very first experiential activity, a photo exhibition titled “My Story of Hope.” From planning and fundraising to managing the event itself, every detail was led by the learners.

Watching them confidently share their personal stories and welcome guests with such professionalism was truly inspiring. Many of these young people had never attended a photo exhibition before, yet they created one that was meaningful, well-organized, and impactful.

A heartfelt thank you to our special guests from A4 Gallery, Coach Siphosihle Benge, the Arts and Events teachers from Sophumelela High School, and the Grade 9 learners who came to support this special day.

Moments like these remind us that when young people are trusted with responsibility and given the opportunity to lead - they rise beyond expectations. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them. 🌟