Arthur Yanda Mexico
Nominee's Province:
Western Cape
Age:
29
Project Name/Description:
Access Network Africa
From the vibrant town of Worcester in the Western Cape, Arthur Yanda Mexico is rewriting the narrative for young people in South Africa. A passionate social entrepreneur, business coach, and youth empowerment advocate, Arthur is on a mission to unlock the potential within underserved communities — and he’s doing it through purpose-driven innovation. “I’ve always believed we are all here to contribute,” says Arthur. “Whether that’s planting a tree or building economies, our value lies in service.” That belief sits at the heart of Access Network Africa (ANA), the social impact firm he founded in 2022. ANA works to combat youth unemployment through education, skills development, and youth startup support — particularly in townships and rural areas where the need is greatest. Arthur’s journey began with a deep discomfort about the inequality around him. “Growing up, I couldn’t understand why poverty was normalised for people of colour,” he recalls. “When I realised social entrepreneurship allowed me to build solutions and earn a living, I jumped in.” What keeps him going — even in moments of doubt — is a sacred sense of purpose: “My purpose wakes me up in the middle of the night. I believe we’re still going to produce African leaders who change the world.” One of ANA’s most notable projects is its Entrepreneurship Academy, which recently welcomed its youngest-ever cohort of high school students. These learners not only receive business mentorship but also funding to launch their own ventures. “It’s empowering to see kids turning into changemakers,” Arthur says proudly. The challenges are real — funding, infrastructure, and systemic barriers. But Arthur embraces each obstacle with a mindset rooted in resilience. His message to others is clear: “Start where you are. Don’t aim for perfection. What keeps you alive is not success but dreaming and finding purpose.” He lives by a powerful motto: “Let the young man in his desperation go out and hunt. If he kills the elephant, his poverty ends. If the elephant kills him, his poverty ends.” Arthur Yanda Mexico is not waiting for change — he is creating it, one empowered young mind at a time.
