Yfu
Hosting in Pretoria

We are an international youth exchange organization that promotes intercultural exchange programs between South Africa and the world.
Similarly hostfamilies invite "the world" into their homes by hosting YFU exchange students and are also beneficiaries of our educational goals by learning from their new sons and daughters about life and customs in countries far away.

Youth for Understanding South Africa is an international youth exchange organization that promotes intercultural exchange programs between South Africa and the world. Our mission is to advance intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families, and communities. YFU South Africa is a registered non-profit, volunteer-driven organization and has been in existence since We form part of a world-wide family of YFU national organizations with offices in more than 45 countries. Your family can volunteer to host a student for the full year, or offer your assistance as a temporary family. A YFU host family provides their exchange son or daughter with a nurturing environment in which they can experience life in South Africa. They give love, support and encouragement as the exchange student confronts, considers and adapts to cultural differences by including them into their normal daily life. They are carefully selected and thoroughly prepared for their exchange experience in our country. Nina, who lives and works in Cape Town, has been YFU South Africa’s national director since She holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Johannesburg as well as a number of other degrees. Before she joined YFU she worked in the fields of international relations, strategy and education. Rynette became involved with YFU when her son went on exchange in Babs is the heart, soul and brain of the YFU head office in Cape Town. She has been working for YFU for 17 years and knows our organization inside out. She has a BA in International Business, a BHons in Development Studies and is currently doing her MA in Development Studies and Economics. Jaymion Hendricks, an admitted attorney, was an exchange student to Germany in 2004 and thereafter became a volunteer upon his return. He has served on the Board of YFU SA and later became the vice chairman until he took over the chairmanship in Jaymion is passionate about young South Africans reaching their full potential and building a better South Africa, Africa and world. He firmly believes in the values YFU SA promotes, namely: mutual respect, intercultural understanding, diversity and social responsibility. Hans Strijdom is a Professor of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University, and lives in Cape Town. Hans is passionate about YFU and its mission, and hopes to serve the organisation for many more years to come. Ngoako has been an exchange student to Sweden in 2007 and that is only the smallest part of his experience with YFU. He has since his return participated, volunteered and endeavoured in almost all parts within YFU South Africa. Above that he has also done an internship with YFU Denmark and YFU Sweden. These are all experiences he has cherished in his journey with YFU South Africa. Her and her husband Sebastian recently relocated to Dubai where Susanne works for the Swedish Trade Council. However, she continues to be an active YFU volunteer, as well as a YFU board member, and visits South Africa as often as she can.