18twenty8

The name 18twenty8 is literal: eighteen to twenty-eight — the critical window in which a young woman's life trajectory can shift permanently in either direction. These are the years of highest GBV risk, highest dropout from education, and highest probability of entering exploitative situations. They are also the years most capable of being redirected — with the right support, mentorship, and investment.

18twenty8® was founded in 2011 as a Girls Education and Mentoring Initiative NPC, operating as the registered trademark 18twenty8®. It holds NPO 088-821, PBO 930 036 859, and Level 1 BBBEE status. It is women-led, empathy-first, and grounded in the lived experience of its founders. It is endorsed by South Africa's First Lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, and has been recognised with multiple awards for its programming and impact.

Programmes

Life-skills Workshops — Grade 11 and 12 Learners in Marginalised Schools Delivered directly in high schools in under-resourced communities, these workshops address self-worth, goal-setting, practical life skills, and preparation for the world beyond school for girls in their final years of secondary education.

Embedded within this programme is the #NOTNEXT project — a dedicated GBV awareness and prevention stream for Grade 11 learners that equips young women to understand gender-based violence, recognise its forms and warning signs, know their rights, and refuse the silence that allows it to continue. The name is a statement: I will not be next.

Leadership Camp An immersive offsite weekend experience for undergraduate young women — developing leadership potential, community, and confidence in a generation navigating higher education without the networks and support that privilege routinely provides to others.

Financial Assistance Programme Covers higher education costs — tuition, accommodation, books, and related expenses — at accredited institutions across South Africa for young women aged 18–28. Addresses the single most common reason young women leave education: inability to pay.

Note: Applications for 2026–27 are currently on hold. Check 18twenty8.org for updates.

Big Sister Network — Mentorship by Senior Women One-to-one mentoring relationships pairing young women with women in middle and senior management across sectors — building real professional networks, career guidance, and role model relationships that change trajectories.

BAM Forum Dialogue, learning, and engagement for the 18twenty8® community — bringing together young women, mentors, and partners around issues affecting women's education and empowerment.

Green Girls Environmental awareness and conservation integrated into school programmes — urban recycling, school clean-ups, green economy careers exposure, and climate change literacy — connecting young women to environmental agency as one dimension of broader empowerment.

Why This Matters for GBV Survivors

18twenty8® is not a crisis service. But for survivors who have passed through the immediate emergency and are asking what comes next — education and economic independence are among the strongest long-term protections against returning to or re-encountering abuse. The Big Sister Network builds the self-belief and professional networks that make leaving permanent. The Financial Assistance Programme removes the financial barrier that otherwise closes the door.

18twenty8®: 145 Second Street, Parkmore, Sandton. Phone: +27 10 300 0210. Email: info@18twenty8.org. NPO 088-821. Social: @18twenty8 across platforms. Website: 18twenty8.org.