Our Story & Mission
StreetBiz Foundation is a South African nonprofit dedicated to developing the entrepreneurial mindset of young people and expanding access to the opportunities that help them grow.
At the centre of our work is the Be a Nelson Movement — our flagship initiative for developing young changemakers inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Our Identity
Who We Are
“We believe that talent is everywhere, but access is not.”
Across South Africa, too many young people are underestimated by systems that fail to recognise their potential. StreetBiz Foundation exists to help change that by creating pathways for leadership, growth, and social entrepreneurship.
Founded in 2017, StreetBiz Foundation focuses on entrepreneurial mindset development, youth empowerment, and access to meaningful opportunities. Our work brings together learning, coaching, conferences, competitions, experiential journeys, and community engagement to help young people grow in confidence, purpose, and impact.
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Equipping Youth with Collaborative Confidence
History & Origins
Our Story
The story of StreetBiz Foundation is inseparable from the Long Walk for the Entrepreneurial Mindset. In 2018, Dr Nico de Klerk walked 1,700 miles (2,750 km) across South Africa, visiting 100+ township communities and 200 high schools.
That journey revealed both the scale of the challenge and the depth of the opportunity: immense potential exists among young people in South Africa’s township communities.
From that insight, the Be a Nelson Movement was born. The movement later took shape as a national network, and the first Be a Nelson Conference was held in 2022. Since then, StreetBiz Foundation has continued to expand its work through courses, coaching, conferences, community engagement, and international learning opportunities.
On the Ground in Khayelitsha (2018)
Listening to young people across 100+ townships & 200 high schools nationwide
Global Mentorship
1-on-1 Coaching
Accredited Learning
DI² Enterprise Cohorts
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Be a Nelson Movement
National Leadership Conferences & Bootcamps
The Vision
What We Are Building
StreetBiz Foundation is building a movement of young changemakers who can think entrepreneurially, lead with courage, and make meaningful contributions in their communities.
Our work includes workshops, conferences, pitch competitions, bootcamps, nature walks, coaching, and access to online higher education opportunities that support both personal and professional development.
Democratizing Innovation Cohorts
From 2023 to August 2026, a total of 73 participants across all course cohorts attended and completed the Social Entrepreneurship and Leading Change for Sustainability programmes, spanning six South African provinces.
The Team
Leadership
StreetBiz Foundation is led by a team committed to the vision, growth, and integrity of the organisation.
Dr Nico de Klerk
Founder & Director
Dr Nico de Klerk is a social entrepreneur, public speaker, lecturer, and the founder of StreetBiz Foundation. He led the Long Walk for the Entrepreneurial Mindset and is the author of No Fit: My 1,700-Mile Walk from Apartheid. His work has focused on entrepreneurial mindset development, youth empowerment, and the growth of the Be a Nelson Movement.
Jabulani Zwane
Director
Jabulani Zwane is a director of StreetBiz Foundation and a powerful example of the entrepreneurial mindset the organisation is committed to developing. His journey includes building a successful business and serving as vice-president of the Professional Speakers Association of South Africa.
Mahlatse Madisha
Director
Mahlatse Madisha is a director of StreetBiz Foundation, contributing strategic oversight and mentorship to the organisation’s programmes and leadership development work.
Bafana Binda
Executive Administrator
Bafana Binda is the Executive Administrator of StreetBiz Foundation. He supports the operational coordination of the organisation and serves as a key point of contact for logistics, follow-up, and programme administration.
Our Timeline
Milestones
A journey of steady growth and deepening impact across South Africa.
Institutional Collaboration & Partnerships
Connecting local changemakers with international platforms
StreetBiz Foundation founded.
Long Walk for the Entrepreneurial Mindset across South Africa.
Township communities reached through the walk.
High schools engaged through the walk.
First Be a Nelson Conference held.
MasterPeace South Africa Walk in the Western Cape Coastal region.
73 young changemakers completed Democratizing Innovation Institute Social Entrepreneurship and Leading Change for Sustainability cohorts.
Provinces represented in initiative project implementation (GP, FS, MP, WC, EC, KZN).
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Walking Beside Young Leaders on the Ground
Runway to Peace • Grassroots civic action and community service in action
Our Motivation
What Drives Us
StreetBiz Foundation is driven by the belief that South Africa’s future depends on young people who are equipped to think differently, lead boldly, and act with purpose.
We are committed to building a future in which more young people have access to the opportunities, support, and relationships they need to grow into leaders and changemakers.
The Be a Nelson Movement is how that commitment becomes visible — in real lives, real communities, and real possibilities taking shape across South Africa.
