Botha founded the Pride Factor life-skills academy in Cape Town in 2014 with the aim to inspire and guide teenagers, as well as young adults, to overcome the problem of unemployment and its associated poverty and inequality. Botha has now been nominated in the Social Enterprise and Philanthropy category of the Avance rankings.

"I'm honoured, elated, proud and so excited to have been recognised in this prestigious group of leaders who do so much to inspire others," says Botha. "I'm merely the frontman for Pride Factor and it all comes down to team-work, collaboration and the relentless pursuit of enhancing the quality of life for the youth of our world. Together, we can."

Botha was a sought after model, professional Shakespearian actor and Western Province surfing champion by the age of 10. He was crowned South Africa's 'Most Irresistible Man' in Axe Sweet Life's nationwide reality show in 2009.

His social conscience has seen him participate in the following:
  • skydiving naked to support Rhino conservation,
  • MC fund-raisers for CANSA,
  • working in soup-kitchens,
  • collecting food and clothing for the homeless, and
  • participating in a celebrity boxing tournament to highlight bullying.
Botha says that he sees Pride Factor as the culmination of his life's work and through its Inspired Youth (Africa), Empowered Youth (United Kingdom) and Online Academy platforms, the company has now interacted with and inspired more than 57 000 young people at over 125 live events, and it has reached thousands more via mainstream and social media.

Botha cashed in his investments and sold his house while developing a business model that now enables the youth to access these life-changing benefits at no cost. Botha did this when he realised that the majority of the demographic who benefit most from Pride Factor's programmes could not afford to attend the events, nor to study the online academy's courses, 

The Top 100 list is curated by Ghana-based Avance Media and PR, who have published similar rankings to highlight the work of outstanding young people in seven African countries.

The honourees cut across diverse sectors with the young change-makers and leaders making strides as entrepreneurs, entertainers, activists, media personalities, social entrepreneurs, public servants and politicians.

Previous winners of the South African rankings include international TV celebrity Trevor Noah and world champion athlete Caster Semenya. The 2019 poll features 54 women and 46 men, and pits Botha against the likes of:
  • Springbok captain Siya Kolisi,
  • Brent Lindeque (Good News Guy),
  • Chad le Clos (swimmer), and
  • Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.
Avance ranks the honourees within their categories and in the Top 100 through a voting process that determines the number one Most Influential Young South African.

Individuals are encouraged to vote for Dene Botha online and select Botha's name from the drop-down menu in the Social Enterprise and Philanthropy category. Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday, 5 February.

For more information, visit www.sa.avancemedia.org. You can also follow Avance Media on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.