LIMPOPO – The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), in partnership with local municipalities, successfully hosted the 2024 Youth Economic Summit on September 27 at the Musina Showgrounds under the Musina Local Municipality.
The event aimed to inspire and equip young entrepreneurs with the tools and skills needed to drive economic growth in their communities.
Mayor Grace Machovane encouraged the youth to embrace entrepreneurship as a solution to the region’s unemployment crisis.
“With the right support and skills, you can build businesses that not only benefit you but also create jobs for others,” Machovane said, urging the importance of youth independence and business ownership in fostering economic development across the district.
Representatives from various organisations shared insights to empower young entrepreneurs.
Nomvula Phiri from the Small Enterprise Development Agency highlighted their commitment to developing sustainable businesses through mentorship, training, and startup guidance.
“Our mission is to ensure that businesses grow and become sustainable, and we support that through mentorship and training programmes.”
Nkhangweleni Makhavhu from the Vhembe District Municipality encouraged youth participation in business competitions as a means of reducing poverty and unemployment.
“Our objective is to increase youth participation in the local economy and nurture entrepreneurial talent,” Makhavhu explained, stressing the importance of such initiatives in stimulating local development.
Fred Makgato, CEO of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), urged young people to explore franchising as a viable path for business growth.
“Franchising offers an opportunity to duplicate successful business models and create economic opportunities, especially in areas like Vhembe where unemployment is high,” he noted.
One of the summit’s highlights was a testimony by local farmer and biogas innovator Tshilidzi Mudau from Dzwerani Mirenzheni, who shared how he used organic waste, including animal manure, to create biogas for cooking, heating, and electricity generation.
His project not only addresses environmental issues but also provides a sustainable energy solution.
“My dream is to expand the project and refill gas cylinders, but I need the right equipment to make that happen,” he said, inspiring the audience to pursue innovative solutions to local challenges.
The summit provided a platform for young people in Vhembe to explore opportunities for economic participation.
Through knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and entrepreneurial insights, the event showcased the district’s ongoing efforts to empower and uplift its youth.
