The emerging development of signature programmes within the SAYMCA is an integral part of the 2008‐2012 strategic plan. It is an effort to harness pockets of excellence within the SAYMCA and develop them into clearly defined and marketable programmes. The SAYMCA is currently made of 21 local YMCAs, whose history extends back as far as 1865. Over the last century, local YMCAs have been strongly connected with their communities, offering services and programmes that meet youth needs. Whilst different local YMCA programmes have different ‘flavours’, strong similarities do exist and a common ethos bind them together.

Developing signature programmes is a move to identify what is working well at local level; document the model and encourage other local YMCAs to align their existing work with agreed upon best practice. For the period 2008‐2012, the South Africa YMCA has resolved to develop four signature programmes.

The Youth Justice and Y‐Zone signature programmes are currently being run. 

Youth Justice Programs are being run at Cape Town YMCA, Cape Flats YMCA, Amanzimtoti YMCA and Athlone YMCA. 

 Y-Zones are being run at the following YMCAs:

Western Cape : Athlone; Cape Flats; Cape Town; Khayelitsha

KwaZulu-Natal: Amanzimtoti; Durban; Esikhawini; Pietermaritzburg

Gauteng: Soweto

Programme implementation will always be at local level. National office will not implement programmes, but will support and enable local associations.

Signature programmes will always be an assertion of, and will uphold mission and vision and values of the SAYMCA.

Signature programme will help the SAYMCA movement to build and support the image and profile of the South Africa YMCA

South Africa will seek to build and uphold certain standards and use the charter as means of regulating an enforcing implementation of these standards

Programme development will be informed by both youth needs analysis as well as unique and historical record programme offering by local associations