Entrepreneurs share ideas
Young entrepreneurs to associate themselves with like-minded people
The Gert Sibande TVET College Ermelo campus in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) hosted a business breakfast at Grasslands Lodge in Ermelo last Friday.
The breakfast was to celebrate the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from16 to 22 November, which is one of the world’s largest campaigns to promote entrepreneurship. GEW inspires people to explore their potential as self starters and innovators.
Life coach and entrepreneur Marion Carlon from America spoke to the young entrepreneurs on the importance of being a visionary and dreaming big. “Your business success is largely dependent on two things: how big you want to dream and how hard you want to work for that dream,” said Mr Carlon.
Acting Chief Director for entrepreneurship and franchise in the Department of Small Business Development Mr Mzwanele Memani, said his department’s goal is to assist young people to consider self employment and start their own businesses.
“With the centres of entrepreneurship such as the one here in Ermelo, we target college and university students to help them unlock their potential.We don’t want students spending years studying only to sit at home after the completion of their studies,”said Memani.
Ms Palesa Mhlongwana from NYDA hosted a panel of discussion with the theme “Fast-tracking Entrepreneurial Success in Gert Sibande” where various stakeholders made presentations on how they assist young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
During the discussion, it was mentioned that the GS Centre for Entrepreneurship is also open to members of the public and the community. Mr Memani also said that his department and the Department of Basic Education have reached an agreement that Enterprise Development will be taught at schools from Grade 7 to Grade 12 from next year.
Local entrepreneur Ms Christelle Haines spoke on the importance of staying focused on your dreams and goals, including discipline.
Ms Charlotte Mashiloane from NYDA had to deal with a number of enquiries regarding their funding model and she explained at length the application process to the approval stage and all required documents.
Sandile Khumalo from Sasol advised the young entrepreneurs to associate themselves with like-minded people and invest in themselves by reading and studying.
He also reminded the young entrepreneurs that everybody who has made it started somewhere.
Other stakeholders included Gert Sibande District Municipality Local Economic Development, Small Enterprise Development Agency, Sars, Mpumalanga Economic Development and Training, Sasol and Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency.
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