Hosted by Ulwazi Resource Consulting, Biz M8 Communications, Ntethe Consulting Services and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), the summit aimed to establish a network of emerging young leaders who use skills and available resources to maximise their economic opportunities.
The gathering also bought together young entrepreneurs in an attempt to achieve youth economic freedom.
During the summit, there were interactive discussions around the topic of entrepreneurship and the role of the youth in developing the country’s economy.
“The summit intends to promote entrepreneurship awareness by stimulating the culture of entrepreneurship among young people in and out of school. It further seeks to cultivate a culture of technological innovation, foster relationships development between enterprising youth and the relevant authorities which will facilitate collaborative development projects and provide opportunities for youth to cultivate innovative business or service ideas,” says one of the event organisers, Sandile Tsie.
“Through this, we hope to develop entrepreneurial skills and create new opportunities or business for job creation and economic development in the country.”
Tsie adds that the summit was able to help motivate and engage young people to play a pro-active role in addressing issues related to youth unemployment and to build a network of like-minded youth to ensure a collective voice.
An entrepreneur from the area, Sibonisile Nhlapo present at the event, says she and her three partners all have a tertiary education, but due to being faced with the challenge of unemployment they started a business.
“At some point we blamed the government, but soon realised that through being our own bosses, we could make money and help others with employment. As young people let us not blame the government but stand up and create opportunities for ourselves,” says Nhlapho.
Another young entrepreneur, Thulisile Moyo adds that she and her partners, started their own hair and beauty spa after seeing that there was a shortage of jobs in the country and area, that there was no stability in jobs and because they were not satisfied with the salaries they were offered.
“We did research, registered a business last year and now have seen that you can also hire people. We encourage other young people to start cooperatives, because this does not only empower you, but your families too. Don’t just sit back, do something,” Moyo says.
