Mastercard has welcomed its 2026 Youth Employment Service (YES) cohort, reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for young South Africans and strengthening the nation’s future talent pipeline.
In partnership with YES, the initiative offers emerging talent practical work experience, structured mentorship, and skills development within a rapidly evolving digital economy, Mastercard says.
YES participants are integrated across Mastercard teams, contributing to high-impact projects during their twelve-month work experience programme while developing the professional skills needed for long-term careers, the company adds.
Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in South Africa, with rates hitting 58.5% among 15- to 24-year-olds in Q3 2025. Through programmes like YES, Mastercard invests in practical solutions to 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," says Gabriel Swanepoel, Country Manager of Southern Africa at Mastercard.
"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," he adds.
Ravi Naidoo, CEO of YES, says: "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."
Fifteen candidates have joined the 2025/26 Mastercard YES programme, selected for their drive and determination. They will participate in structured training to build essential workplace skills and expand their professional networks as they begin their careers, Mastercard adds.
Mastercard remains committed to supporting South Africa’s youth through initiatives that nurture talent, unlock potential, and foster a more inclusive economy. The YES programme continues to play a key role in enabling young people to engage with, and shape, the country’s digital future, the company says.
"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," says Nishali Pillay, former YES alumni and Product Management Specialist at Mastercard.
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