Four Grade 11 learners from Thengwe Secondary School in Mutale, Vhembe will represent the country at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (Sage) global competition scheduled for Manila, Philippines from 10 to 16 August.
Thengwe learners Masana Mabaso, Olugaho Mateko, Livhuwani Mudau and Enelo Maringa won the Sage National Championship after their gas stove project powered by cow dung was named the winner from four finalists, the other three entries being from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Free State.
The national competition was hosted in Bloemfontein recently on 21 May.
In a press statement released by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Ledet) MEC Seaparo Sekoati is quoted to have said this was one of the most exciting projects ever presented by Sage, “It is a pure green initiative that is also consistent with the mandate of the department, that of keeping the environment clean and safe for future generations,” Sekoati said.
Sage is a global community of creative and innovative teenage entrepreneurs sharing a common purpose to make the world a better place. “The programme is aimed at entrepreneurship development. The programme can best be described as a focused learner community development programme that focuses on entrepreneurial training and development at high school level.
Ledet, in collaboration with the Department of Education, realised that there was an entrepreneurial gap at a youthful age, particularly at high school level, and decided to adopt and be involved in the Sage programme. The department is responsible for the coordination and ensuring the roll-out of this programme is a success in Limpopo Province,” the statement informed.
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za