Johannesburg, South Africa — June 2025 — The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs) is proud to announce the return of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) as the official sponsor of the Food & Beverage category for the 2025 edition. CCBSA first partnered with the YOBAs in 2023, and their continued support affirms their strong commitment to nurturing youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa’s fast-evolving food and beverage sector.
CCBSA’s partnership forms part of its broader economic inclusion strategy, which champions education, employability, and entrepreneurship. Through programs such as Bizniz in a Box, the company has enabled over 700 young South Africans to enter the business world with practical skills, mentorship, and access to market opportunities.
“We are proud to once again support the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, a platform that truly celebrates the ingenuity and resilience of young entrepreneurs,” said Bame Modimogale, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa. “Our continued partnership reflects CCBSA’s commitment to driving inclusive economic growth by empowering South Africa’s youth to build sustainable businesses that we believe can contribute towards shaping a more inclusive future.”
The Food & Beverage category celebrates youth-owned brands making waves in culinary innovation, local product development, and sustainability. CCBSA’s ongoing sponsorship ensures these visionaries are recognised and celebrated amongst the best.
The Food & Beverage category is diverse and always has tight competition, from cookbooks, restaurants and cafes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands, to catering services.
“We are honoured to once again have CCBSA join us in recognising youth excellence,” said Pat Mahlangu, Founder and CEO of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. “Their investment in young South African brand builders continues to open doors, ignite dreams, and fuel the transformation of our economy.”
The 2025 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards will be hosted on 21st June 2025, with finalists and winners across 18 categories representing the next generation of African brand builders.
For more information, visit www.top16yoba.co.za or follow the conversation online via #Top16YOBAs
About Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA)
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is a proudly South African company that began operating as a legal entity in July 2016, after the merger of six non-alcoholic ready-to-drink bottling operations. We are a level 3 B-BBEE empowered company. We employ over 7 000 people at 13 manufacturing facilities across the country. As a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and a bottler for The Coca-Cola Company, our vision is to refresh Africa every day and make our continent a better place for all. We manufacture and distribute Coca-Cola beverages that make life’s everyday moments more enjoyable, while doing business the right way.
The result is shared opportunities for our customers, our employees, our communities, and our shareholders. We conduct our business ethically, transparently, and conscientiously. We espouse an inclusive business culture to reflect our African identity. We accelerate sustainable, profitable revenue growth across all categories and offer an innovative portfolio of products that respond to customer needs and consumer preferences. Profitability is important, but not at any cost. People matter. Our planet matters. We do business the right way by following our values and partnering for solutions that benefit us all.
About the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs)
The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs) is South Africa’s premier recognition platform for youth-owned brands across diverse industries. Founded in 2022 by entrepreneur and brand expert Pat Mahlangu, the awards honour excellence, creativity, and impact driven by young South Africans. From food and fashion to tourism, technology, and social innovation, the YOBAs celebrate the resilience and potential of youth who are building the future, one brand at a time.
Learn more at: www.top16yoba.co.za
