Skip to content

Publications & Media

Lucha Lunako is a dynamic organisation that combines the intellectual rigour of a think tank with practical implementation on the ground. Through Action Research* we are dedicated to translating ideas and research into tangible actions and real-world impact. We provide a platform for creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking, allowing stakeholders to explore unconventional strategies to the overarching challenge of youth unemployment and develop scalable projects that have the potential to disrupt entrenched systems and bring about meaningful change. By engaging experts, advocates, researchers and practitioners, all our programmatic interventions undergo rigorous piloting before they are formally launched.

“Action research is a philosophy and methodology of research generally applied in the social sciences. It seeks transformative change through the simultaneous process of taking action and doing research, which are linked together by critical reflection.”

- From Wikipedia

Home Publications & Media

Building South Africa’s “Animal Farm” of Businesses

Building South Africa’s “Animal Farm” of Businesses When the world talks about entrepreneurship, the spotlight often falls on “unicorns”, billion-dollar startups that disrupt industries and dominate headlines. But in South Africa, that framing misses the point. Here, entrepreneurship isn’t always about disruption. Often, it’s about

Turning Red Flags Into Real Change: Reimagining Youth Mental Health Support

Turning Red Flags Into Real Change: Reimagining Youth Mental Health Support Although the world is forging innovative paths to overcome mental challenges, the statistics on mental health in South Africa remain deeply troubling. Recent data from the EAPA-SA 2024 report shows that at least 27%

Heritage Month: What We Choose to Carry Forward

Heritage Month: What We Choose to Carry Forward Heritage Month is complicated. On the surface, it’s about the food, music, and traditions that make us proudly South African. But just beneath the celebration lies a deeper question: what parts of our heritage are we intentionally

Impact Report: Street Smart Upstarts (2025)

Lucha Lunako’s Street Smart Upstarts Impact Report puts a spotlight on igniting entrepreneurial mindsets in youth to unlock income-generating potential. The report highlights the transformative results of our 12-week programme, and showcases how practical hustle skills, mindset shifts, and real-world application have empowered young people

The Lucha Lunako Organisation Profile (2025)

Introduction to Lucha Lunako: Empowering Youth through Employability and Entrepreneurship Lucha Lunako is a dynamic youth development organisation dedicated to fostering the growth and success of young people through tailored programs focused on employability and entrepreneurship. In a rapidly changing world, we recognize the importance

Impact Report: Foundations for Financial Freedom (2025)

The Impact Report on our Foundations for Financial Freedom course offers an in-depth analysis of our work to empower youth toward economic independence. It highlights the urgent need for financial literacy in a national context of over-indebtedness, low savings, and conspicuous consumption. Lucha Lunako’s unique

Lucha Lunako Annual Review (2023)

The Lucha Lunako Annual Review for 2023 highlights our continued commitment to addressing youth unemployment and empowerment through a comprehensive, long-term approach to youth development. By focusing on whole-person development and behavior change, Lucha Lunako has made strides in creating sustainable programmes that equip young

Youth Development Ecosystem Report (2023)

Working together with Youth Development Collaboration Lab (YD Co-Lab), Lucha Lunako helped fund and project manage the development of the Youth Development Ecosystem Report 2023. Given both entities’ commitment to visibility and collaboration between actors in the youth development sector, this project was prioritised as
Student Debt

Investing in ending student debt makes good business sense

Equitable access to education is one of the pillars on which the solution to South Africa’s youth unemployment problem rests. But education comes at a cost; and when that education is at a tertiary level, those costs are beyond the reach of most of the
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger
Let’s Collaborate - together we are stronger