Mastercard Welcomes 2026 YES Cohort to Boost Youth Employment in South Africa

Mastercard  has welcomed its 2026 Youth Employment Service (YES) cohort, reinforcing its commitment to unlocking opportunities for young South Africans and strengthening the country’s future talent pipeline as part of the YES initiative.

In collaboration with YES, this initiative offers emerging talent invaluable hands-on experience, structured mentorship, and skills development within a fast-evolving digital economy. YES Youth are integrated across Mastercard teams, working on high impact projects to complete their twelve-month work experience programme, while building the professional grounding needed for long-term careers.

Youth unemployment in South Africa remains a significant economic challenge, with rates reaching 58.5% for those aged 15-24 in Q3 2025. Through strategic programmes like YES, Mastercard continues to invest in practical solutions that help bridge the gap between education and employment.

“We believe that developing young professionals is an investment in South Africa’s economic resilience. Our collaboration with YES reflects our steadfast commitment to creating pathways that enable youth to gain meaningful experience and contribute to a thriving, inclusive economy. By opening doors to employment opportunities, we hope to stimulate participation in the labour market, subsequently strengthening both GDP growth and the broader economic landscape.”

– Gabriel Swanepoel, Country Manager, Southern Africa, Mastercard 

“In the face of South Africa’s high unemployment rate, it is vital that our collaboration with Mastercard continues to make strides in integrating the nation’s youth into the workforce. Young people have immense potential to drive economic growth, and the best way to unlock that is by equipping them with the right tools and providing the necessary guidance. We are proud to see this collaboration grow, and we hope it will continue to succeed, benefiting generations to come.”

– Ravi Naidoo, CEO, YES

Fifteen candidates have joined the 2025/26 Mastercard YES programme cycle, selected for their drive and determination. They will take part in structured training, build essential workplace skills, and grow their networks as they navigate the early stages of their careers.

Mastercard remains focused on supporting South Africa’s youth through initiatives that build skills, unlock potential, and contribute to a more inclusive economy. The YES initiative continues to play a vital role in enabling young people to participate in, and shape the country’s digital future.

Programme Alumni Testimonial

“The YES programme at Mastercard provided a transformative foundation for my professional journey. The exposure to real-world work, supportive mentorship, and focus on professional development have all equipped me to take confident next steps in the industry.”

– Nishalia Pillay, Product Management Specialist, Mastercard