Libunjwa Liseva · Building Sustainable Communities, One Life at a Time
Children and families at the CTYF soup kitchen
AI-generated illustration of young people learning sewing and carpentry skills
Rows of packed food parcels ready for distribution
Children sorting food parcel staples at the soup kitchen
AI-generated illustration
Libunjwa Liseva

Catch them young. Empower them today.

Building sustainable communities, one life at a time. We equip rural children, youth and families in KwaZulu-Natal with food, skills, technology and opportunity.

Skills Development

Skills that open real doors.

Accredited and unaccredited training in computers, sewing, construction, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and more.

Nutrition and Welfare

No child goes to bed hungry.

150 to 200 warm meals every weekday, and food parcels on the days our kitchen cannot open.

Empowering Today, Transforming Tomorrow

Overcoming poverty is an act of justice.

Exposure, skills and networks turn hidden opportunities into real chances. Partner with us to reach more young people.

About Us

Rooted in rural KZN. Growing futures across South Africa.

We are young professionals who grew up on the rural outskirts of KwaZulu-Natal, now bridging the gap between those who have escaped poverty and those who still need support.

Families gathered at the CTYF soup kitchen
Food parcels with rice, beans and cooking oil
2022Founded in KZN
Who we are

Changing the narrative for rural youth in South Africa

Catch Them Young Foundation NPC is a registered non-profit company that equips rural children, youth and families in KwaZulu-Natal with food, skills, technology and opportunity. Inequality and a lack of exposure still decide too many futures. We are here to change that.

  • Founded by young professionals who grew up in rural KwaZulu-Natal
  • Programmes piloted in Umkhanyakude District before wider roll-out
  • Governed by a qualified board with sound ethical standards
Our story

Opportunities nobody can reach are opportunities missed

Catch Them Young Foundation exists to change the narrative for Black African children and youth in rural South Africa, where inequality and a lack of exposure still decide too many futures.

Having built careers beyond the communities we grew up in, our founders now bridge the gap between people who have escaped the chains of poverty and those who still need to be uplifted and supported. Our passion is for socially innovative solutions with a high, lasting impact.

We believe that when every person does what they can within their means, more opportunities open up for South Africans, especially the youth. Exposure, skills and networks are what turn those opportunities into real chances.

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.”Nelson Mandela
Children and families at the CTYF soup kitchen
Packed food parcels
300+Beneficiaries a month
Why we exist

Our Vision and Mission

Founded by young professionals who grew up on the rural outskirts of KwaZulu-Natal, we bridge the gap between those who have escaped poverty and those still waiting for their chance.

Our Vision

To be a platform that equips, empowers and provides space for maximum use of one’s potential in a proactive manner, catching them young to produce well-rounded and wholesome adults who are fit and capable to contribute to the betterment of the world.

Our Mission

To empower vulnerable youth and women through education, skills development, enterprise support and nutrition programmes that build resilient, self-reliant communities. We deliver this through a network of efficient programmes and support structures that educate and create opportunities for children, youth and adults.

Our values

What we stand for

LoyaltyFaithPatienceResponsibilityHopeResilienceLoveFunCreativity
0Meals served every weekday
0Beneficiaries supported monthly
0Programmes open for funding
0Impact areas across KZN
Brand essence

Five pillars that guide us

Catch Them Young Foundation is a youth-focused organisation committed to shaping lives at an early stage, enabling access to opportunity, and building sustainable communities through intentional development and empowerment.

Youth Empowerment

Investing in young people as drivers of change.

Early Intervention

Shaping potential at formative stages.

Sustainable Development

Creating long-term community impact.

Growth and Transformation

Enabling progress from limitation to opportunity.

Community Upliftment

Strengthening rural and underserved communities.

Beneficiaries and CommunitiesYouth · Women · Children · Families · Schools · Community Members
Catch Them Young Foundation logo
The meaning of our logo

Nurturing young people into empowered contributors

Libunjwa Liseva: Shaping them while they are still young. Our logo captures the idea of early and intentional nurturing.

Petals

Growth, sustainability and life.

Human figures

Youth development, mentorship and collective progress.

Root

Our foundation, our rural origin, and staying grounded.

Services and Programmes

Food, skills, technology and opportunity.

Five impact areas, five core objectives and two secondary ones, all designed to catch young people early and walk with them into adulthood.

Core objectives

Five commitments at the heart of our work

Tap any card to see the full scope of each objective and the programmes linked to it.

Families gathered at the CTYF soup kitchen with food parcels
Core objectiveView details

Health and Welfare

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AI-generated illustration representing skills development
Core objectiveView details

Skills Development

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AI-generated illustration representing technology access in rural areas
Core objectiveView details

Technology Access in Rural Areas

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AI-generated illustration representing support for school children
Core objectiveView details

Support for School Children

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AI-generated illustration representing diversity in learning
Core objectiveView details

Diversity in Learning

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Secondary objectives

Caring for the land and the water

AI-generated illustration representing water and sanitation
Secondary objectiveView details

Water and Sanitation

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AI-generated illustration representing agriculture and enterprise
Secondary objectiveView details

Agriculture and Enterprise

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Who we serve

Everyone who needs a fair chance

YouthChildrenAdultsPersons with disabilitiesOrphans and vulnerable childrenVulnerable men and womenThe environment
Flagship programme

The CTYF Soup Kitchen

Our mission here is simple: provide nutritious meals and essential support to vulnerable children and families, ensuring no child goes to bed hungry.

150–200warm meals served daily, Monday to Friday
300+beneficiaries supported every month
Food parcelson weekends and public holidays
Better attendancechildren come to school better nourished
Feed a child today

“Feeding today, nurturing hope for tomorrow.”

Children and families gather at the CTYF soup kitchen with food parcel staples
Rows of packed food parcels with rice, beans and cooking oil
Children sorting food parcel staples at the soup kitchen
Our approach

How the Soup Kitchen works

Nutritious meals

Balanced meals with essential nutrients for children and families.

Dignity and care

Meals served in a safe, respectful and loving environment.

Community support

Working with local stakeholders and donors to stay sustainable.

Food parcels

Continuous support on days the kitchen cannot operate.

Holistic impact

Less hunger, better school attendance and stronger children.

Partner with us

Together we can catch them young, empower them today, and transform their tomorrow.

Every programme is open for funding. Sponsors can direct support to the programme and district that matter most to them.

Contact Us

Let’s catch them young, together.

Whether you want to donate, sponsor a programme, volunteer or make us your CSI implementing agent, we would love to hear from you.

Reach us

We are here to talk

More is achieved in less time when parties join forces. We work with private businesses, municipalities, state-owned entities, government departments, NGOs and individual donors.

Head officeMzinene Reserve, Hluhluwe, 3960, KwaZulu-Natal
Contact personMs Nothando Mkhize, Founding Director

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