What is The President's Award?

The President's Award is South Africa's member of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, a youth development programme for young people aged 14 to 24. Participants set their own goals across four sections: Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey, with an added Residential Project at Gold.

Any young person aged 14 to 24 can take part. You can begin Bronze from age 14, Silver from age 15 and Gold from age 16.

Do I have to complete Bronze before Silver or Gold?

No. You can start at Bronze and progress, or enter Silver or Gold directly depending on your age. Direct entry involves a slightly longer commitment because you have not completed the earlier level.

How long does each level take?

Bronze takes at least six months. Silver takes about twelve months, or six if you already hold Bronze. Gold takes about eighteen months, or twelve if you already hold Silver.

What is the Adventurous Journey?

It is a team expedition, on foot or another approved mode of travel, that you plan and complete together. It runs over two days and one night at Bronze, three days and two nights at Silver, and four days and three nights at Gold.

Is the Award recognised internationally?

Yes. It is part of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, which is recognised in more than 120 countries, so your achievement travels with you.

How much does it cost?

A once off enrolment fee applies for each level. The current fee for your chosen level is shown on its enrolment page before you pay.

Choose your level on this site, complete a short enrolment form and pay securely online. Your enrolment is recorded straight away and runs for twelve months.

Gold Award

Reach the highest level, with your biggest challenge yet.

Gold is the highest level of the Award. Over about eighteen months you’ll push your service, skills and fitness further than ever, take on a four-day team journey and complete a Residential Project, or reach it in twelve months if you already hold Silver, earning a Gold Award that’s respected around the world.

Voluntary Service

Commit to service over a sustained period.

Skills

Master a skill over time.

Physical Recreation

Make fitness a lasting habit.

Adventurous Journey

A demanding 4-day, 3-night journey.

✓At least 18 months of participation (12 months if you already hold Silver)
✓Adventurous Journey: 4 days, 3 nights (around 8 hours of purposeful effort per day, 32 hours in total)
✓Residential Project: 5 days, 4 nights with people you haven’t met before, doing a shared activity

✓Open to anyone aged 16 or older
✓Silver holders get a shorter route

Gold is the Award’s highest achievement. You’ll come away with real mastery, resilience and leadership, with a demanding expedition and a residential project behind you. It’s an achievement respected by universities and employers worldwide.

Gold enrolment

Progression

If you already hold Silver

R1,485

Enrol

Direct entry

Starting at Gold directly

R2,640

Enrol

12-month enrolment · ages 16+

Globally recognised
Part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Your Goals

For each section you set a challenging but achievable goal, and show development and regular progress towards it.

Voluntary Service (volunteering) is about making a meaningful contribution in your community, influencing change and shaping the world you want to live in. Look for an activity that's meaningful to you. You can volunteer alone or in a team, in person or online.

Social enterprises
Charities
Not-for-profit organisations

Physical Recreation is about improving your fitness and building a healthy lifestyle through activity. Choose any sport, dance or fitness activity, anything that needs a sustained level of energy and physical effort.

You can use general fitness instead of a specific sport: pick something like jogging or the gym, or do a mix.

Skills is about developing personal interests, and practical and social skills. Keep learning and get better at your activity throughout the section. From podcasting to playing an instrument, fine art to web design, cookery to learning to drive, the possibilities are wide open.

The five most popular Skills activities:

Cooking
Playing an instrument
Language
Acting, drama and theatre skills
Life skills

Adventurous Journey (expedition) is about developing initiative and a spirit of adventure and discovery. You'll plan, train for and complete an adventurous journey as part of a team.

For your journey, you need to:

Agree on a team goal
Plan your journey
Do at least one practice expedition for Silver and Gold
Complete your qualifying expedition
Be self-reliant throughout
Give a final presentation

The length depends on your Award level. Your route should be one continuous journey, completed using your own physical effort (it doesn't have to be on foot). Your mode of travel could be:

Foot
Bicycle
Boat
Canoe
Kayak
Wheelchair
Horseback

Three Levels

There are three levels of the President’s Award, leading to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. What sets them apart is how long they take to complete, how challenging they are, and the age you can start. You can start at any level for your age, but most people begin at Bronze and work upwards. You have to finish all your sections before your 25th birthday.