Established in 2022, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards is a platform that is aimed at recognizing and celebrating Youth Excellence. The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards acknowledges that young people are not only contributing to the economy of South Africa, but the overall image of the country.

In a time where the unemployment rate is at an all-time low (unemployment rate in South Africa is forecast to 32.79% in 2024, Statista), these awards celebrate brands that create jobs in the process of honing their craft.