Community-led youth development programmes have been implemented in South Africa to address social issues among adolescents. The study employed a qualitative research design, conducting semi-structured interviews with participants from community-led youth development programmes and matched control groups. A key theme emerging was the positive impact of mentorship provided by programme leaders on adolescents' sense of responsibility towards their communities. Community-led youth development programmes significantly enhanced civic engagement among South African adolescents, particularly through supportive mentoring relationships. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm these findings and explore additional factors influencing adolescent participation in community initiatives.