Makers Valley Youth Expo to expose youth to opportunities
JOBURG – expo aims to bridge the gap between unemployed youth and opportunities.
Makers Valley Youth Expo is a joint initiative by East Jozi Project, Sneakers 4 Change and Makers Valley. East Jozi is a community project that aims to integrate and unify the community through positive activities specially created for the youth.
Sneakers 4 Change charity drive collects and donates sneakers to the less fortunate while promoting the spirit of giving amongst the youth on the other hand Makers Valley is a group of local ‘makers’ and civic innovators committed to experimentation and overcoming barriers, working on practical as well as global solutions towards urban renewal in hopes of creating a well-being economy.
The neighbourhood ‘Makers Valley’ stretches from Troyeville to Bezuidenhout Valley, in the Johannesburg inner city ‘Eastern Gateway’. The Makers Valley Youth Expo is an Art and entrepreneurial expo, which aims to bridge the gap between the unemployed youth and the opportunities that are available to them.
The initiative’s aim is to expose the youth to both private and government opportunities that are available. With this platform, the youth will get plugged into learnerships, mentorship, entrepreneurial and opportunities that will help drive their careers in the right direction. Tshepo the Jean Maker, Neo Mashigo, Kabelo Mabalane and many more are set to take part in a panel discussion on the creative sector, entrepreneurship, higher education and skills training as well as employment.
“We will also be giving a pitching opportunity to young ambitious entrepreneurs who will also stand a chance to win a Power Booster package towards their existing business, which includes an entrepreneurial workshop worth R10 000 offered by Seed of Africa and seed funding. Applications for Power Booster are open till the 18th of February 2019. Entrepreneurs can enter by sending their business profile as well a motivational letter,” Sibusiso Zulu said.
The target age for the expo is 18-35 and the core target is 18-25. Individuals and businesses are invited to help make the expo impactful, from resources, mentors to the final prize contributions for the Power Booster Pitch winner.
“To add to the experience we are calling all kinds of entrepreneurs/businesses and artists to come have activations and exhibit products/art. Entertainment will be available throughout the expo to keep your spirits alive and popping,” Zulu said.
The Youth Expo will be held on 2 March at Victoria Yards, 16 Viljoen Street, Lorentzville 2094, from 10 am to 5 pm. Participants can enter with an idea or existing business.
For more information contact Sibusiso Zulu on 071 043 9288 or Hector Mgiba on 078 659 7335, or email Eastjozi@gmail.com.
