We are Thank YOU South Africa (TYSA) — a registered nonprofit foundation born from deep gratitude and inspired by the collective spirit of African unity. Our work is grounded in the belief that education is not only a personal right, but a continental responsibility — a powerful tool to uplift young lives, heal generational wounds, and ignite African sovereignty through knowledge, identity, and purpose.
TYSA is more than an organisation — it is a Pan-African expression of hope, empowerment, and solidarity. Our work is guided by the spirit of Ubuntu — "I am because we are." We believe that our humanity is interconnected, and that when one child rises, we all rise. When one is left behind, we are all diminished. With love for South Africa and pride in our African roots, we stand as a bridge between opportunity and those who need it most. We are committed to supporting the children of this continent — wherever they are from, and whoever they are — by ensuring they are seen, heard, educated, and celebrated.
Through every scholarship, document retrieved, child mentored, or voice uplifted, we are laying the foundation for a more sovereign, self-determined Africa — one where leadership is homegrown and dignity is restored from the classroom to the continent.
The time is now — to build, uplift, and invest in the African child in the spirit of Ubuntu, for history has shown: when we
empower our
children, we shape our freedom, our futures, and our continent. No nation can rise while its leaders-in-waiting are left
behind. Africa will
rise — as her future leaders are catapulted from dusty streets into glorious seats through the power of education. This is not
a hope — it
is a mission.
A duty that we will achieve.
At Thank YOU South Africa (TYSA), we walk hand-in-hand with the African child — from their earliest steps into learning, to the pivotal moment of stepping out into the world. Our work is rooted in the belief that when we invest in education, dignity, and identity, we unlock the full potential of not just individuals, but entire communities and nations.
We take a holistic, inclusive, and Pan-African approach to educational empowerment. Our programs respond to the real challenges faced by children across the continent — including those navigating displacement, poverty, statelessness, or lack of documentation.
Through our work, we provide:
TYSA stands for the African child in all their diversity and brilliance — whether born in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, the DRC, Botswana, Burkina Faso, or anywhere across our beloved continent. We understand that while borders may separate nations, our futures are interconnected.
We also extend our support to South African children living outside the country’s borders, recognizing that they too deserve access to identity, education, and opportunity — wherever life has taken them.
By equipping young people with education, legal identity, and a sense of belonging, we are reweaving the fabric of Pan-African unity — where no child is invisible, and every child is prepared to rise, lead, and contribute to the future of Africa.
In living out Ubuntu, we do not give charity — we offer solidarity, dignity, and opportunity. One child at a time, one story at a time, we are weaving a future where African children become the architects of a better continent.
We believe that education changes everything. We believe in the shared destiny of the African continent — a future where every child, no matter their background, country of origin, or legal status, has access to quality education, identity, protection, and opportunity. The child of the soil deserves to dream, to learn, and to lead.
Far too many children across our continent are held back by systemic barriers, historical trauma, displacement, poverty, and lack of legal identity continue to rob our children of their potential. TYSA was born to interrupt this cycle, to create bridges where there were walls. To amplify the voices of those who have been silenced by circumstance, to fill the gaps, and to make this secret known even in a whisper: the African child belongs — here, and everywhere on this continent.
Our work is also a contribution to the broader vision of a thriving, united Africa. We also recognize that when civil society stands up to support children, we ease the economic burden on governments and strengthen the foundations of a peaceful, prosperous Africa. Our work is both a gift of gratitude to South Africa and a bold commitment to the Pan-African vision of unity, dignity, and self-determination.
South Africa is home to over 4.2 million foreign-born residents, making it one of the
top destinations for migrants on the African
continent. Many arrive in search of safety, opportunity, and education — often bringing with them children in need of urgent
support.
(Source: Stats SA, UN Migration 2023)
South Africa, despite her own socio-economic challenges, has quietly become a beacon of refuge and resilience — a country with a silent heart of inclusion and unspoken generosity. But this generosity comes at a cost. The increasing demand on limited resources has contributed to rising homelessness, unemployment, and crime, especially in underserved communities.
At Thank YOU South Africa, we recognise these burdens — not as reasons for blame, but a call for action. We aim to ease these pressures by supporting vulnerable children, reducing dependency, and investing in long-term solutions. By helping undocumented children access education and legal identity, we reduce their risk of exploitation. By mentoring youth and guiding them into careers, we help break cycles of poverty and hopelessness that often lead to crime. And by uplifting families through their children, we contribute to stronger, safer communities for all.
Our work is not just about giving thanks — it’s about giving back.
Thank YOU South Africa is not just a name --- it is a heartfelt message of gratitude, a call to action, and a bold Pan-African commitment to the future, a declaration of love for the children of this continent. In the spirit of Ubuntu, we rise by lifting others. And together, we build a future where every African child belongs, contributes, and thrives. Together, we are building a legacy that transcends borders and celebrates the African child.