StreetBiz Foundation
Be a Nelson Movement
Equipping young South Africans to lead change through entrepreneurship, learning, and community action.
The Be a Nelson Movement is the flagship initiative of StreetBiz Foundation — building a growing network of young changemakers inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy and equipped to create impact in their communities.
Impact at a Glance
133 Nelsons impacted to date
100+ township communities reached
200 high schools engaged
73 participants across course cohorts (2023–2026)
6 provinces represented
Our Identity
A Movement for Young Changemakers
The Be a Nelson Movement exists to help young people move from survival thinking to leadership, entrepreneurship, and action. Rooted in Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the movement identifies, develops, and supports young people with the courage and potential to make a difference where they live.
This is not just a programme. It is a pathway. A network. A platform for growth.
Through the movement, young people gain access to learning, guidance, real-world opportunities, and meaningful relationships that strengthen their confidence and expand what they believe is possible.
Grassroots Unity
Young leaders coming together across communities
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The Challenge
Why This Matters
Too many young people in South Africa are growing up with talent, drive, and ideas, but without the access, support, and opportunities needed to flourish.
The Be a Nelson Movement responds to that challenge by investing in mindset, leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and practical opportunity.
We believe that when young people are given the right environment to grow, they do not only change their own lives — they help transform their communities. For donors and partners, this is an opportunity to invest in youth-led change that is practical, values-driven, and built for long-term impact.
Community Food Kitchen
Nelson-led organization in Olievenhoutbosch running a daily food kitchen and cultivating sustainable nutrition for families.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Gugulethu Clean-Up Campaign
Nelsons taking action for the International Day of Peace, clearing illegal dumping areas into clean public community spaces.
Our Strategy
How the Movement Works: The Triple E Framework
A holistic development model designed to transition township youth from survival thinking into proactive enterprise builders.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1) Education
We create access to learning that expands thinking, builds entrepreneurial mindset, and equips young people with tools for leadership and social innovation.
This includes structured courses, training opportunities, mentorship, and access to new ways of seeing themselves and the world around them.
2) Experience
We believe growth happens when learning becomes lived experience.
Through conferences, bootcamps, coaching, community projects, leadership journeys, and practical engagement, young people develop confidence, resilience, initiative, and the ability to turn ideas into action.
3) Exposure
Exposure changes mindsets.
The movement creates opportunities for young people to connect beyond the limits of their immediate environment — through networks, collaboration, global learning opportunities, new relationships, and transformational experiences that broaden vision, unlock ambition, and open new possibilities.
Direct Impact
What Your Support Makes Possible
When you fund the Be a Nelson Movement, you help young people cross the threshold from potential to action. Every rand invested directly expands capacity and creates tangible grassroots economic mobility.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Mentorship & Growth
Equipping leaders with practical skills and collaborative confidence
Access to entrepreneurship and leadership learning
Sponsored participation for Nelsons in courses and conferences
Laptops, digital access, and data for online learning
Coaching, mentorship, and personal development support
Implementation of community-led projects
Monitoring, evaluation, and storytelling that help us measure and grow impact
Our Origins
From Vision to Movement
The Be a Nelson Movement grew out of the Long Walk for the Entrepreneurial Mindset — a 1,700-mile journey across South Africa that reached more than 100 township communities and included workshops at 200 high schools.
That journey helped shape a national network of young leaders and gave rise to the first Be a Nelson Conference in 2022.
Today, the movement continues to grow through learning opportunities, community engagement, leadership development, and practical support for young changemakers across South Africa.
The Long Walk for the Entrepreneurial Mindset
1,700 miles | 100+ townships | 200 high schools reached
The People
Meet the Nelsons
At the center of this movement are young people with ideas, courage, and commitment. Together, they represent a new generation of grassroots leadership in South Africa.
Tanya Mapfure
Eco-Enterprise Founder
Gauteng
Zimasa Mretyana
Community Nutrition & Soup Kitchen
Eastern Cape
Thuso Pejane
Enterprise Founder
Free State
Lerato Hanyane
Youth Changemaker & Founder
Gauteng
Wonderboy Gina
Creative Enterprise Lead
Mpumalanga
Amanda Mkhwanazi
Community Project Founder
KwaZulu-Natal
Bafana Binda
Executive Administrator & Lead
Gauteng
Andile Gumede
Grassroots Innovator
KwaZulu-Natal
Kiara van Neel
Youth Leadership & Service
Western Cape
Sikhelela Ndawule
Community Mobiliser
Eastern Cape
Khumbuzile Netshituni
Education & Enterprise
Limpopo
Fortunate Mokoena
Social Enterprise Founder
Free State
John Semenya
Youth Agribusiness Lead
Limpopo
Ludonga Tshabalala
Tech & Community Builder
Gauteng
Gabriel Letsoela
Grassroots Leader
Free State
Cassidy Carstens
Social Innovation Lead
Western Cape
Mahlatse Madisha
Enterprise Builder
Limpopo
Samkelo Matyantya
Community Development
Eastern CapeTanya Mapfure
Eco-Enterprise Founder
GautengZimasa Mretyana
Community Nutrition & Soup Kitchen
Eastern CapeThuso Pejane
Enterprise Founder
Free StateLerato Hanyane
Youth Changemaker & Founder
GautengWonderboy Gina
Creative Enterprise Lead
MpumalangaAmanda Mkhwanazi
Community Project Founder
KwaZulu-NatalBafana Binda
Executive Administrator & Lead
GautengAndile Gumede
Grassroots Innovator
KwaZulu-NatalKiara van Neel
Youth Leadership & Service
Western CapeSikhelela Ndawule
Community Mobiliser
Eastern CapeKhumbuzile Netshituni
Education & Enterprise
LimpopoFortunate Mokoena
Social Enterprise Founder
Free StateJohn Semenya
Youth Agribusiness Lead
LimpopoLudonga Tshabalala
Tech & Community Builder
GautengGabriel Letsoela
Grassroots Leader
Free StateCassidy Carstens
Social Innovation Lead
Western CapeMahlatse Madisha
Enterprise Builder
LimpopoSamkelo Matyantya
Community Development
Eastern CapeHover over any Nelson to pause and explore their story
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Place-Based Regional Partnerships
Collaborating with municipalities, corporates, and global institutes
Strategic Alignment
Why Partner with the Movement
When you partner with StreetBiz Foundation, you invest in a movement that is practical, grounded, and ready to grow. Through the Be a Nelson Movement, we support young changemakers with access to learning, leadership development, mentorship, and real-world opportunities that strengthen communities from the ground up.
StreetBiz Foundation holds a Section 18A certificate and is Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) compliant, enabling South African donors to claim tax benefits where applicable.
International Giving Pathways
International partners and donors can give via PayPal or locally through trusted nonprofit partners with established MOUs in the U.S.A. (501(c)(3) partner) and Europe. Details shared upon request.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)