Radical economic transformation through entrepreneurship
“There is no time to ‘turn up’ and spend your money recklessly.”
Duduza – Inter-Great Youth Organisation successfully hosted its fourth annual business exposition at the Dududza Multipurpose Centre last Friday.
Actor and businessman Jerry Mantonga, who spoke at the event, believes that people who succeed in business are groomed from a young age.
“I was fortunate enough to go to a private school in the north of Joburg.
“When I said I wanted to do business in the entertainment industry, the school organised that I meet the head of M-Net at the time.”
Mantonga says the way children are raised shapes what kind of leaders, if any, they will become.
“Young people need to be exposed to people who have achieved the dreams they are still dreaming of.
“Exposure is key.”
Bonginkosi Sithole, founder of Khuthole Consultancy, encouraged young people to stop procrastinating.
“Find a gap in the market and capitalise on it.
“The opportunity you see today may not be here tomorrow.”
He also encouraged unskilled youth to find mentors.
“Just find someone who does something you are interested in – tiling, plumbing, anything – and volunteer to work with them until you master it.”
Sithole believes that people have an illusion of success that holds them back.
“There is no time to ‘turn up’ and spend your money recklessly.
“You need to reinvest in your business.”
According to Sithole, radical economic transformation will only happen when more black people become successful in business.
“We need to keep the flow of money ekasi.”
Inter-Great Youth Organisation chairperson Nkosinathi Zwane says they are prepared to work harder to ensure that the youth of Ekurhuleni get all the support they need to be successful entrepreneurs.
