What we do
Welcome to The Empire Bus
Established in 2020, The Empire Bus is a fully compliant South African Non-Profit Organisation, with NPO registration, CSD registration, PBO certification and Section 18A status.
The Empire Bus is a Youth Advisory Centre (YAC) dedicated to creating pathways for South Africa’s youth and communities through environmental sustainability, climate action, accredited skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation.
If You Care for the Earth, the Earth Will Care for You.
Our environment is not separate from our future — it is our future.
The Empire Bus takes action where environmental challenges affect communities most. Through clean-up campaigns, waste management, recycling awareness, environmental education, climate initiatives and sustainable food gardens, we transform neglected spaces into places of purpose, productivity and pride.
Our environmental programmes give young people opportunities to participate in practical environmental action while developing a deeper understanding of sustainability and their responsibility as custodians of the communities in which they live.
Working alongside Government, SETAs, industry, the private sector and strategic partners, we deliver practical programmes that connect environmental action with human development and economic opportunity.
Nationally Accredited Skills Development
Our candidates don't just complete programmes — they earn recognised qualifications. Through our accredited skills development initiatives, candidates have successfully achieved Nationally Accredited Certificates, including programmes carrying 61 credits, equipping them with recognised skills that can strengthen pathways towards employment, entrepreneurship and further learning. Through our partnership with Hluvuka Training College, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), we support the transformation of skills development, particularly in rural communities, by expanding access to education, practical skills and economic opportunities and helping address barriers that can limit participation in the economy. Every certificate represents achievement. Every skill creates possibility. Every opportunity can change a life.
Youth Empowerment
We believe that South Africa’s greatest asset is its people — and that young people must be given the opportunity to participate, lead and shape the future.
The Empire Bus creates pathways that help young people discover their potential, access opportunities, develop confidence and become active contributors to their communities and the economy.
We turn potential into participation and ambition into opportunity.
Skills Development
We connect South Africans with practical, relevant and accredited learning opportunities that can strengthen employability, support entrepreneurship and open pathways towards further development.
Our focus is on helping people gain the knowledge, capabilities and practical skills they need to move forward.
Youth Graduation 2025–2026
We proudly celebrate our youth graduates who successfully completed accredited skills development programmes, earning National SETA-accredited certificates with 61 credits. This achievement represents more than a certificate — it is a step towards greater confidence, employability, entrepreneurship and meaningful opportunities.
We don't just develop skills — we help connect skills to opportunity.
Environmental & Greener Communities
We don't just clean our communities — we grow a sustainable future.
The Empire Bus works with communities, government and environmental partners to create cleaner, greener and more sustainable spaces.
Our Silver Oaks Yard Clean-Up brought together DFFE National, DFFE Provincial, PETCO, EWASA, CCEHSA, Waste Warrior Women, City of Johannesburg: Environment & Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), COJ Environmental Health, Department of Water & Sanitation, GDARD and Pikitup in a collective effort to restore and improve our environment.
We have also adopted Heerengracht Primary School, where we created a sustainable garden, and Boekenhout Primary School, where we are currently developing a garden.
Our goal is to create gardens at primary schools across our communities, supporting school feeding schemes while teaching children about food production, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
We clean. We plant. We educate. We grow. We create a greener, more sustainable future.