YMAD NPO

26/09/2026

On 23 September, YMAD, in partnership with Endangered Wildlife Trust (Endangered Wildlife Trust ), Molweni Waste Recycling Centre and Casa Blanca Lifestyle (Casa Blanca Lifestyle ), had the opportunity to host Environmental Justice Fund (Environmental Justice Fund ) grantees at the Adam Mission and Molweni sites.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase some of the work being undertaken by EWT around waste management and wetland protection, particularly in areas where wetlands are increasingly under pressure due to inadequate waste-management and recycling initiatives.

The Molweni Waste Recycling Centre also demonstrated how YMAD’s involvement in community-based waste management can contribute to establishing and strengthening recycling hubs and centres, helping divert recyclable materials away from landfills while creating opportunities for local communities.

We are proud to continue building partnerships that connect environmental protection, waste management, community participation and sustainable development. 🌱♻️

WetlandProtection EnvironmentalJustice CommunityDevelopment CircularEconomy EJF KwaZuluNatal

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

🇿🇦 HAPPY HERITAGE DAY 2026 🇿🇦
Celebrating who we are. Protecting what we have. Building what comes next.Today we celebrate the rich cultural heritage that makes South Africa unique. Our heritage lives in our languages, traditions, music, food, stories, landscapes and, most importantly, in the communities and people who carry these traditions forward.

As we celebrate, let us also remember that our heritage is connected to the environment and the places we call home. Protecting our natural resources, keeping our communities clean, supporting sustainable livelihoods and creating opportunities for young people are all part of building a future worthy of the generations that came before us.

🌱 Our heritage is not only something we inherit — it is something we have a responsibility to protect and pass on. From all of us at Youth Mentors and Developers, we wish communities across South Africa a safe, meaningful and joyful Heritage Day 2026.

Celebrate your culture. Honour your roots. Protect your community. Build the future.

20/09/2026

🌍🧹 LET’S CLEAN UP TOGETHER! 💚

Today, YMAD – Youth Mentors and Developers joins communities across South Africa and the world in celebrating National Clean-Up Day & World Clean-Up Day! 🌱🌎

Every piece of litter we pick up, every space we restore, and every person we inspire contributes to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future.

🙌 Join us as we:
🗑️ Pick up litter
🌿 Protect our environment
♻️ Promote recycling and responsible waste management
🤝 Build stronger, cleaner communities

Small actions make a BIG impact! 💚

📢 Together, let’s keep our communities clean and care for the Earth.

KeepOurCommunitiesClean Recycling WasteManagement EnvironmentalProtection YouthForTheEnvironment SustainableCommunities PeopleCaringForTheEarth

02/09/2026

The journey continues!
This week, 10 members of the KwaJobe Environmental Group have begun an wildlife and nature photography training programme at Mkhuze Game Reserve, led by wildlife photographer and cinematographer Luyanda Shabalala

The training kicked off by exploring the role and importance of photography within the conservation space and understanding how images can be used for conservation storytelling, environmental awareness, tourism and creating new livelihood opportunities.
We are incredibly grateful to NEWF for making Canon cameras available for the participants to use throughout the training. This access to equipment is an important part of ensuring that the young people are able to move from learning the theory to gaining practical, hands-on experience in the field.

As part of this next step, a camera will also be purchased for the KwaJobe group, which will be donated to them to support their continued learning, conservation documentation and development of their wildlife photography enterprise beyond the training.
The training will continue over the next 7 days at Mkhuze Game Reserve.

A special thank you to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and iSimangaliso Wetland Park for their continued support in making this learning experience possible.
This training forms part of the Wings of KwaJobe Project, funded by UN Development Programme, which aims to create access to the green economy by empowering rural communities with skills, opportunities and material resources that can enable them to participate meaningfully in conservation and nature-based livelihoods.

22/08/2026

🌍💚 THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING HAPPY EARTH Festival! 🌱✨

What an incredible experience it has been for YMAD NPO to participate in the Happy Earth Festival for the very first time!

A heartfelt thank you to all the schools, learners, educators and teachers who came through, engaged with us, asked questions, shared ideas and showed such enthusiasm for environmental action. 🌿🌍 Your energy reminded us why environmental education and youth participation are so important.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Happy Earth Festival organisers for creating a platform that brings together schools, communities, organisations and environmental champions to celebrate our planet as well as inspire meaningful action. 🙏🏾💚

To everyone who visited our stand, interacted with our team and supported what we do, THANK YOU! Your support means so much to us.

This may have been our first Happy Earth Festival, but we certainly hope it won't be our last! 🌱♻️

Together, let's continue educating, inspiring and taking action for a healthier planet and stronger communities. 🌍💚

YMAD NPO — Youth Mentors and Developers

Sustainability ClimateAction CommunityAction Pietermaritzburg KZN GreenFuture EnvironmentalAwareness

22/08/2026

We are honoured to announce that YMAD NPO is now part of the EJF Alumni Network! 🌱💚

Yesterday, Environmental Justice Fund officially kicked off the EJF Alumni Network Workshop, bringing together passionate changemakers, organisations as well as environmental leaders for a day filled with insightful discussions, informative activities and valuable opportunities for collaboration, in addition to knowledge sharing.

We are excited to be part of this growing network and look forward to connecting, learning and collaborating with fellow alumni to strengthen community-led environmental action as well as create meaningful impact.

A big thank you to EJF for creating this platform and for investing in the growth and development of organisations working on the ground.

Together, we can amplify our impact. 🌍🤝🏾

EnvironmentalLeadership Collaboration Sustainability SouthAfrica

19/08/2026

🌍🌱 YMAD at the Happy Earth Festival! 🌱🌍

This year marks our first time participating in the Happy Earth Festival, and we are excited to be part of this incredible celebration of our planet, communities and environmental action! 💚

If you’re around the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg today or tomorrow, please come through and show our teams on the ground some love! 🙌🏾🌿

Come say hello, learn more about what YMAD NPO is doing in our communities, and support the incredible work being done by our teams for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future. ♻️🌱

📍 KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Pietermaritzburg
📅 Today & Tomorrow

See you there! 🌍💚

Recycling Sustainability CommunityDevelopment GreenCommunities KZN

19/08/2026

Khan Road Waste Team Means Business! ♻️🌱

Last month, a new waste team was established at Khan Road Informal Settlement, and these guys are already showing that they mean business! 💪🏾♻️

They have already collected and sold recyclable waste and are now taking things a step further by creating stormwater channels to help prepare the community for the rainy season. 🌧️

They are proving that waste management is not only about keeping the community clean — it can also create livelihoods, protect the environment and build resilience within the community. 🙌🏾

However, they are currently struggling to find a waste collector/recycler that accepts glass at a reasonable price.

👉🏾 Do you know a recycler or waste collector who can assist with glass recycling in the Khan Road/Pietermaritzburg area?

Please contact YMAD NPO if you can help connect this hardworking team with a suitable buyer or recycling partner.

Let’s support community-driven solutions and keep Khan Road clean, safe and resilient! 🌍♻️

CommunityDevelopment ClimateResilience YouthEmpowerment KeepOurCommunitiesClean

08/08/2026

🌱🐄 SILWANENDLALA, SITHUKISA UMNOTHO ENDAVENI ZASEMAKHAYA! 🌾🚜

We are proud to support an initiative that brings together farmers, agricultural businesses, community organisations and partners to strengthen rural agriculture and create meaningful economic opportunities.

📅 27 August 2026
📍 Kwaphindangene

This is more than a farming event, it is an opportunity to share knowledge, build partnerships, strengthen local farming enterprises and create sustainable livelihoods in our rural communities.

🤝 Collaborate to Grow
🌱 Empower Rural Communities
💼 Create Jobs & Economic Opportunities
🌍 Promote Sustainable Agriculture**

Let us come together to support our farmers, strengthen rural economies and build a better future for generations to come.

SILWENI. SISEBENZE. SITHUKUSISE.
Umnotho wakhona, ikusasa lethu! 🇿🇦

SustainableAgriculture RuralEconomy FoodSecurity JobCreation YouthInAgriculture WomenInAgriculture KwaZuluNatal YMADNPO CommunityDevelopment AgriculturalDevelopment