ABSA’s Youth Month Focus Invests In Entrepreneurship, Financial Education, and Creative Opportunities at RedFest2025
This Youth Month, ABSA is making an unapologetic, visible investment in the future of South Africa’s young talent through strategic collaborations designed to amplify, empower, and uplift.
A key activation in this year’s campaign is ABSA’s dynamic partnership with RedFest2025, Johannesburg’s premier youth arts and culture festival, hosted by Redhill School from 13 to 16 June 2025. The initiative is more than corporate social investment; it’s a bold brand alignment with the country’s creative, entrepreneurial, and socially conscious youth.
Candice Thurston, Managing Executive: Brand and Marketing at ABSA Group, confirms the brand’s focus:
“Youth Month is a catalyst — a reminder of our ongoing commitment to invest in youth-led platforms, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and creative expression. At ABSA, We See Your Story isn’t a slogan, it’s a commitment.”
At the heart of ABSA’s Youth Month activation is The Village on Oval, a curated winter social space featuring live music, fire-lit lounges, artisanal stalls, and hands-on engagement zones.
Notable highlights include:
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The Spin & Win activation with CashSend vouchers, Takealot gift cards, and limited-edition ABSA merchandise up for grabs.
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Entrepreneurship in focus — three emerging entrepreneurs, selected via the YAEI x ABSA Youth Development Programme, will trade at the festival:
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Eledi Home by Ellen (www.eledihome.com)
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Ilanga Coils by Nomusa (www.acalytica.com/ilangacoils)
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Fibonacci Design by Katlego
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A contemporary public art installation by Limpopo-born Alpheus Ngoepe, an ABSA L’Atelier alumnus. His works, interrogating identity and urban resilience, will be on sale with full proceeds to the artist.
RedFest2025’s YouthFest event on 16 June promises to be a spectacle of school choirs, marimba bands, orchestras, and drama productions — a youth-driven showcase made possible by ABSA’s support.
Thurston adds:
“RedFest is about creating spaces where youth voices lead. We’re proud to partner on initiatives that champion inclusion, innovation, and meaningful opportunity.”
Tickets retail at R250 via TicketPro, with the full festival programme available at www.redhillartsfestival.co.za.
Follow the action online:
#RedFest2025 #WeSeeYourStory #ABSAYouthMonth
Instagram: @absa.southafrica | @redhillartsfestival
