De Beers Mine, youth foundation to create sustainable economy in Limpopo
De Beers Group worked with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) under its SA Skills for Life (S4L) programme with the hopes of establishing a series of guided entrepreneurial programmes for communities at all levels.
POLOKWANE – On November 19 De Beers Group partnered with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and hosted a workshop on how to create a sustainable economy in Limpopo.
De Beers Group worked with the IYF under its SA Skills for Life (S4L) programme, of which the focus is to strengthen, teach and learn, in order to guide people in the Capricorn and Vhembe Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college system.
The purpose of the workshop, which was held at Fusion Boutique Hotel, was to initiate and activate sustainable economic growth and economic opportunities for Limpopo residents through public and private partnerships.
The partnership wants to do this by establishing a series of guided entrepreneurial programmes for communities at all levels.
This includes entrepreneurship, job, financial and critical thinking skills. Khalil Patel, S4L programme manager, emphasised the need for comprehensive stakeholder engagement through which all stakeholders, including public and private corporations, TVET colleges and communities unite under the common objective to improve economic outcomes for the youth.
Anusha Naicker, country director for SA IYF, said a strong TVET system is essential for economic growth and to reduce unemployment among the youth, especially in Limpopo.
IYF, who operates in South Africa under the auspices and supervision of the Department of Higher Education and Training, invited a group of noteworthy speakers to address the workshop participants.
Speakers at the event included Itumeleng Mogale, social performance specialist from De Beers, Senisha Moonsamy from the Technology Innovation Agency, Dr Wynand Goosen and Patrick Mugumo, of Infomage Rims Group, as well as Dr Lientjie van Rensburg from the National Institute for the Deaf.
Pontshi Moletsane, founder of the start-up company, Nosetsa Africa, shared their methodologies for working together to find new ways to upskill the youth of Limpopo.
They shared examples on how to develop networks and create employment opportunities within the public and private sectors, inclusive of persons with disabilities.
Gregory Petersen, group manager of socio economic development at De Beers Group, said: “We continue to explore innovative opportunities and partnerships to support the socio-economic growth of the communities in which we operate.
“We centre the development of communities through entrepreneurship and skill enhancement in our building everlasting sustainability strategy as we continue to strive to make life brilliant for all our stakeholders.”
