Investec has launched Invest-ED, a national programme designed to support South Africa’s grade 8 to 12 learners and their parents or guardians, with guidance, confidence and future-focused thinking, to drive more meaningful participation in the economy.
The Invest-ED launch took place on the eve of the 2026 State of the Nation Address. The address subsequently reinforced education, skills development and youth employment as key priorities for national progress.
President Ramaphosa cited progress on youth pathways, including over 2.5 million opportunities through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, mainly for young people and women, and an 88% Matric pass rate in 2025, the highest on record. He also called for a “skills revolution”, including stronger workplace-linked training, alongside continued focus on early learning, literacy and numeracy.
Linking education choices to work readiness
Invest-ED is designed to build on this momentum by helping learners and parents navigate the link between education choices, skills development and work readiness, so that more young people can access opportunities in a changing economy.
“The case for action is clear. South Africa’s growth underperformance has cost the country millions of jobs, and those under 34 make up the majority of the unemployed. For young people, that reality makes skills, adaptability and early guidance even more important,” says Itumeleng Merafe, Head of Investec Private Bank in South Africa. “The world of work is changing quickly, and young people need guidance that keeps up. Invest-ED is designed to help learners and parents start earlier, make more informed subject and career choices, and build the confidence to navigate what comes next.”
Designed to move minds
The first Invest-ED live-streamed event brought together more than 4 000 learners, alongside parents and educators across South Africa, introducing the programme’s ambition to move beyond generic career lists and offer practical insight, future-focused thinking and confidence.
Broadcast on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 from Stark Studios in Randburg, the event was accessible to participating schools hosting group viewings to support engagement during the pilot, as well as parents and families who registered online. Investec intends to build on this foundation and scale to more schools and students across South Africa over time so more learners, parents and educators can benefit.
Speakers at the pilot event included international behavioural scientist Mike Hughes, quantum education leader Elisa Torres Durney, and medical specialists Dr Simon Fraser and Dr Angelo Apostoleris, covering decision-making in an AI-enabled workplace, emerging technology pathways, and how traditional professions are changing. Across the programme, the message to learners was practical: stay curious, keep learning, and be open to new opportunities as technology reshapes careers and industries.
“Legacy is measured not only in what we leave, but in the guidance, skills and opportunities we pass on to the next generation. Equipping young people to succeed is how we move the nation forward,” concludes Merafe.
