About Us

18twenty8® is an award-winning, women-led Non-Profit Organisation that empowers young women by developing strategies for their educational and personal development. We encourage young women, between the ages of 18 and 28, to pursue higher education as an attractive and necessary tool for their empowerment. Our approach is empathetic, skills-enhancing and relevant to the young women we serve since we have experienced some of their challenges first-hand. Our vision is of a South Africa in which girls and young women are educated and empowered to lead.

Our Programmes

Life-skills Workshops

For girls in Grade 11 and Grade 12 at high schools in marginalised communities.

Financial Assistance

Covers young women's higher education expenses at accredited higher education institutions across South Africa.

Big Sister Network

Mentorship for young women at university-level by senior and middle management women.

Leadership Camp

An offsite, weekend experience that harnesses young women’s ability to lead by building self-confidence.

18twenty8 in Action

Endorsement by the First Lady

Endorsement by South Africa’s First Lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe.

2022 Auburn University Meet & Greet

Our meet & greet with staff and students from Auburn University, Alabama (USA) exploring our work in South Africa’s nonprofit sector.

2022 #NOTNEXT Project on GBV

Equipping Grade 11 learners to stem the tide of GBV

2022 Big Sister Network

Big Sister-Little Sister chat about the role of mentorship for women’s empowerment

2020 Financial Assistance Programme

The recipients of our 2020 Financial Assistance Programme share how the award helps with their studies.

Green Girls
  • Urban environmental awareness and conservation
  • Recycling
  • School clean-up campaigns
  • Exposure to various careers in the green economy
  • Climate change basics
  • Reducing my carbon footprint

Partners & Donors

Graduate Stories

Jessica Brown