Ichikowitz Family Foundation

In his latest opinion piece, our founder & chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz, explains why the next 4 years could be good for Africa. "People the world over, and Americans in particular, continue to make the mistake of underestimating Donald Trump. He’s a tough negotiator, but he’s a businessman. If Africa can find the confidence to take sentiment out of the equation and make a business pitch that makes sense, this could well be a very profitable and peaceful four years indeed." "The continent has much to offer, from its incredible mineral and human resources—including the youngest population in the world – to its global strategic importance in a multi-polar society that sees the US jostling with China and Russia for influence." Read the full article published in Euronews below. #Africa #Business #USA

According to the African Youth Survey 2024, although the influence of many foreign countries and organisations has been declining since 2020, the perceived impact of the United States has remained steady in 2024 at 70%. African youth continue to see the US as one of the most influential powers on the continent, second only to China (76%). Back in January 2024, when 5,604 African youths were interviewed as part of the African Youth Survey 2024, there was an expectation that prominent American political and business leaders such as Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg would play a significant role and would be among the most impactful foreign leaders in Africa over the next five years. Positive perceptions of the US have increased from 75% in 2022 to 79% in 2024, although this is still below the 87% positivity level recorded in 2020. 38% view the US’s influence as'very positive’. According to the youth of Africa, the drivers of these positive perceptions are for the following reasons: loans and economic support, creating employment opportunities for people, investing and helping to develop infrastructure, providing training and skill development for workers, and providing a market for exporting goods to the US. For the 21% of African youth who view the influence of the US on their country as negative, they cite reasons such as the exportation of natural resources without fair compensation and benefit to locals. To download your free copy of the African Youth Survey 2024, visit our website. #AfricaRising #Leadership #YouthEmpowerment #AfricanDiaspora

Happy New Year, everyone. Let's make this one great. #Africa #YouthEmpowerment #AfricaRising

Whatever you celebrate this holiday season, the Ichikowitz Family Foundation extends our warmest African Season's Greetings to you and your loved ones. Peace, love, light & joy. #AfricanChristmas #Africa #Greetings

We are incredibly proud that the African Youth Survey 2024 special feature on CNN International Inside Africa programme aired last week. If you missed it, here's a 3-minute clip, and the full 30-minute feature can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e3ThCH8D Thank you to everyone involved Ivor Ichikowitz MUTI Burson Deon Mclellan Nyambo Masa Mara Gomotsegang Motswatswe Reuben Ichikowitz Nkosinathi Moshoana Bogolo Joy Kenewendo Clinton Campbell Inside Africa introduces you to innovators, entrepreneurs, tech trailblazers and artistic visionaries shaping the future of the African continent and beyond and this one is worth the watch! #YouthEmpowerment #Teamwork #Africa

No less than 14 brilliant minds, academics & passionate advocates have contributed to each section of the African Youth Survey 2024, united by a shared goal, to build a better future for the youth of Africa. Here’s the third expert contributor in our series...to highlight #16DaysofActivism in raising awareness of gender-based violence. 3/14 Consolata Chikoti An esteemed lawyer and rising global health scholar from Tanzania, with a wealth of expertise in championing gender equality, sexual reproductive health, and human rights. Consolata has been honored with two prestigious fellowships tailored for young African leaders: the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa and the Young African Leaders Initiative-Mandela Washington Fellowship, Georgetown University. Extract from the African Youth Survey 2024 by Consolata Chikoti ...the growing apprehension among the youth regarding the safeguarding of women’s rights underscores a troubling disconnect between the commitments to human rights protection and the tangible behavioural changes, as well as the mechanisms for accountability that are so desperately needed. In the present day, Africa tragically leads all continents in the harrowing statistic of women murdered by their intimate partners, with over 20,000 lives lost annually. Additionally, a staggering 130 million girls are forced into marriage before reaching the age of 18, amidst an alarming resurgence of opposition to women’s rights. In South Africa, the situation is particularly dire, with three women falling victim to partner violence every hour. With the increasing interconnectedness of the world and the rise of conflicts threatening democratic values, it is the women and youths who bear the brunt of these challenges. The ongoing leadership crisis only exacerbates the existing inequalities, leaving them more vulnerable to harm. The latest African Youth Survey reveals that the youth in Africa are not only aware of these issues but also unanimously call for greater emphasis on upholding rule of law and protecting marginalized groups. These findings should serve as a wake-up call for our leaders to seriously consider whether they are truly committed to building a prosperous future for Africa, as outlined in the 2063 agenda, where women and youth are given full support and empowerment to shape their destiny in all aspects of life. To read the full African Youth Survey 2024, simply download your copy from our website, https://lnkd.in/e9ZsAvR3 #16days #GenderEquality #HumanRights

The African Youth Survey 2024 has shown that 75% of young people across the continent are worried about gender-based violence. Many African youth are troubled by the inadequate protection of women's rights in their nations, with 73% indicating they are concerned about this issue. The highest levels of concern for women's rights protection are found in South Africa (93%), Kenya (90%), and Nigeria (89%). Although concern is lower among youth in Rwanda (39%), Côte d’Ivoire (56%), and Namibia (62%), a notable percentage in these countries still express worries regarding this issue. Additionally, 70% of African youth agree there aren’t enough female African leaders and role models, and the significant concerns surrounding gender-based violence and lack of women's rights protection are likely to be contributing to this deficit. The African Youth Survey 2024 gathered insights from 5,604 individuals aged 18-24 across 16 countries, maintaining an equal gender ratio of 50:50. The survey is widely regarded as the most comprehensive research into the world's fastest-growing demographic. The Ichikowitz Family Foundation conceptualised and fund the biennial African Youth Survey. #16DaysOfActivism #AfricanYouthSurvey #GenderBasedViolence #GenderEquality

"African youth of today are saying we want to be part of the world; we want to be friends with everybody," explains Ivor Ichikowitz in today's bite-sized segment from last week's livestream of the Special Briefing of the African Youth Survey 2024. Todays topic: International Influence on Africa 72% remain concerned about the influence of foreign powers, with China and the US seen to have the greatest influence, though many view it positively. For China, positivity is driven by affordable products and investments in infrastructure, while those who see the US’s influence as positive point to economic support offered. Although Russia is not viewed as one of the most influential international powers in the region, an increasing proportion negatively view the impact of this influence in their country, mainly driven by the detrimental impacts being felt from Russia’s engagement in conflicts. For a deeper dive into this topic, download your free copy of the full report from our website: https://lnkd.in/dWupedxS The African Youth Survey is widely recognized as one of the most important research studies on young people living, learning & working across Africa. #Africa #insights #AfricaRising #AfricanYouth

If you missed it on last week's livestream of the African Youth Survey 2024—Special Briefing—here's today's bite-sized segment on the topic of technology. 79% of African youth agree that WIFI and connecting to the internet are fundamental human rights. This is felt strongest in Nigeria, Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana. The importance placed on internet connectivity underscores the role of digital access in shaping the opportunities and experiences of African youth today. Ivor Ichikowitz explains... with Faith Mangope For a deep dive into the technology topic of the African Youth Survey 24, download your copy from our website: https://lnkd.in/e9ZsAvR3 #Africa #insights #AfricaRising #AfricanYouth #Digitaltransformation #Maslow

In response to many requests from those who couldn't attend the event or watch the livestream, asking for a recording of our Special Briefing on the African Youth Survey 2024, which took place last week, we've created short, bite-sized segments for quick viewing and will share one each day this week. Today is on the topic of democracy. The data from the survey revealed that the vast majority of youth across Africa continue to support democracy, but a growing proportion say that sometimes non-democratic systems are preferable and that African countries need to design their own democratic structures. Ivor Ichikowitz explains... You can download your copy of the African Youth Survey 2024 from our website: https://lnkd.in/dWupedxS #Democracy #Africa #insights #Youth