Sharks launch business centre

THE opportunity which many young Durbanites have been waiting for has finally arrived – a business centre equipped with the latest facilities available for graduates and entrepreneurs to use free of charge.

Speaking at the opening of The Sharks Business Centre, The Sharks CEO, Dr Eduard Coetzee dubbed the new facility, ‘a centre of hope’.

The business centre is to empower graduates and entrepreneurs by supplying high speed WiFi and facilities to connect like-minded individuals to market opportunities and it will evolve by providing skills development workshops with the long-term aim of acquiring funding for these businesses.

“Our community is at the forefront of everything we do at The Sharks and this is an exciting opportunity for us to contribute to the growth and development of these individuals, who we hope will go on to impact our society positively. We all must do our part in making our country prosper and this is our way of doing just that,” added Coetzee.

He said the Covid-19 had shattered the dreams of many budding entrepreneurs and talented individuals; leaving them in a state of despair and darkness, and that the business centre was initiated to bring hope to those who felt helpless and to help transform their visions into realities.

“We are blessed to be in this position, so we must use our blessings to bless others,” said Dr Coetzee.

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Cell C Chief Commercial Officer Simo Mkhize said Cell C was committed to changing the lives of South Africans.

“It’s a great privilege for our brand to be involved in the development of the business centre. We look at The Sharks as a great example of diversity, not only on the field but through the initiatives that they are involved in,” he said.

“Covid will end one day so we look at this development as way for young people to say ‘my life had not stopped’. There was an opportunity for them to carry on uplifting themselves,” said Mkhize.

eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda expressed his thanks to The Sharks for giving back to the community. “Targeted skills development will ensure that our citizens, especially the youth, are equipped for the jobs of the future, he said.

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Kaunda added that the advent of Covid-19 had worsened the unemployment rate in our country, especially among the youth and therefore The Sharks Business Centre had come at the right time.

“This initiative is also in line with our economy recovery plan which seeks to sustain jobs during this difficult period of time. We look forward to working with you and making this project a success,” he added.

The Sharks Business Centre will introduce programmes in a four-phased approach.

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