Lethabo Sebola is a student at the North-West University Vanderbijlpark Campus who is on a mission to rescue young men from crime, depression, and social neglect. While studying for his Honours degree in Industrial Psychology, he founded a non-profit organisation called Pick A Brother Up to tackle the silent struggles of young men in South Africa.

What began as informal conversations among friends has since grown into a structured organisation focused on mentorship, motivation, and psychosocial support. Sebola started the project after seeing many young men lose hope and turn to the streets. He believes society puts too much pressure on men to be strong and hide their feelings, which leaves them suffering in silence when they face hardships.

“We realised that men are always told to be strong, to never cry, to never speak about what they are going through. But nobody asks what happens when they are actually struggling,” Sebola explained.

National and global data show the urgency behind such concerns. According to Statistics South Africa labour force surveys, youth unemployment remains above 40%, with young men in disadvantaged communities being disproportionately affected. In addition, global estimates from the World Health Organisation indicate that men account for nearly 75% of suicide-related deaths worldwide, highlighting a broader mental-health crisis affecting males.

Through his studies in psychology, Sebola has learned that many young men are not lost causes but are shaped by their environments and a lack of opportunity. He wants to change the idea that young men are naturally violent or a problem for society. Instead, he highlights that many are simply dealing with pain and a lack of guidance.

Pick A Brother Up aims to address these challenges by creating safe spaces for mentorship, personal development, and emotional support. The organisation operates under a formal constitution, with structured governance, accountability systems, and clearly defined objectives.

Sebola has big plans for the future and hopes Pick A Brother Up will become a global movement. He believes that when a young man is lost, the negative impact affects many generations. He remains dedicated to building a movement that proves young men deserve support and the chance to thrive in life.