South Africa’s young people are often defined by the challenges they face. For Absa, however, Youth Month is about something different: recognising the ambition, creativity and resilience that continue to emerge despite those obstacles.
As part of its 2026 Youth Month programme, Absa partnered with Vault Strength Club (VSC®), one of Johannesburg’s fastest-growing running communities, to launch “All In With VSC®”, an event designed to bring together entrepreneurs, creators, professionals and changemakers through movement, conversation and community.
The activation formed part of Absa’s broader “All In This Youth Month” campaign, which celebrates young South Africans who are building businesses, pursuing opportunities and shaping the country’s future. “We really understand that young people have passions, lifestyle aspirations and dreams,” says Lebo Thubakgale, Senior Marketing Manager: Youth & Corporate Citizenship at Absa. “Beyond the challenges, they want to be celebrated and they want to be heard.”
More Than a Run
Held in Sandton, the event featured a social run, networking opportunities, live entertainment and a post-run coffee rave. But according to Thubakgale, the partnership was never simply about fitness. “When we looked at Vault Strength Club®, we realised they weren’t just a running club. They’re building a community,” he says. “At Absa, we speak about seeing opportunity in every story. We saw that same philosophy reflected in what VSC® is creating.”
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That sense of community is increasingly important as wellness spaces evolve into cultural hubs where young professionals and entrepreneurs connect, collaborate and support one another. “I think we’ve lost that community feeling in recent years,” says Thubakgale. “Spaces like this allow young people to come together around similar ambitions, similar mindsets and a shared desire to create.”
Turning Ambition Into Opportunity
While the event celebrated youth culture and wellness, entrepreneurship remained a central focus. According to Thubakgale, Absa’s youth strategy is built around three key pillars: entrepreneurship, employability and education. Through various initiatives and partnerships, the bank aims to provide young people with practical tools, skills and opportunities that can help them create sustainable futures. “We’re not only celebrating youth,” he says. “We’re creating tangible opportunities.”
One example includes a partnership with designer David Tlale that gave a young creative the opportunity to design bags for the Cape Epic, turning talent into a real-world business opportunity. For Thubakgale, the creative economy represents one of South Africa’s greatest opportunities. “We’ve always been known for creativity as Africans,” he says. “The opportunity now is to own it. Whether it’s music, fashion, entrepreneurship or business, there are opportunities for young people to build something meaningful.”
Why Community Matters
If there’s one piece of advice Thubakgale would offer young South Africans looking to take the next step in their careers or entrepreneurial journeys, it is surprisingly simple. “Start with community,” he says.
“We underestimate the power of being around like-minded people. Once you start as a community, you start a movement.” It’s a philosophy that mirrors the growth of communities like Vault Strength Club, where running has become a catalyst for connection, accountability and personal growth. For Thubakgale, resilience is also a critical ingredient.
“It’s about not giving up and continuing to put your best foot forward,” he says. “Believe in your passion, invest in it and seek out people and organisations that believe in your story.”
Measuring Impact Beyond Numbers
While attendance figures and engagement metrics play a role, Absa measures success differently. “We stay close to the beneficiaries,” says Thubakgale. “We measure success through conversations and through understanding how opportunities have changed people’s lives.”
According to the bank, its youth-focused initiatives have impacted more than 1.5 million lives over the past five years through entrepreneurship programmes, employability interventions and educational support. For young people interested in learning more about available programmes and opportunities, information can be found through Absa’s corporate citizenship platforms.
Going All In
Asked what being “all in” means personally, Thubakgale’s answer reflects the same message that powered the event. “It means never taking my foot off the gas,” he says. “It’s about resilience, putting your hand up and going after what you want.”
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And when he looks at South Africa’s future, it’s the country’s youth that give him confidence. “Africa is the future, but so is the youth,” he says. “When you look at our creativity and our uniqueness, there’s something special about what young Africans bring to the world. No one can replicate it.”
