This was said by Professor Michael Katz of ENSAfrica law firm at an economic empowerment roadshow for small micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and residents at Sankopano Community Centre.
The roadshow, facilitated by the city council and ENSAfrica, encouraged participants to find out about the business and economic opportunities available to them from various government and private sector entities. The event was also in support of the provincial government’s township economic revitalisation programme, a strategy to get more people, including the youth, to get involved in the national economy.
Katz said the youth support programme called Gazelle, was a business and leadership development model that entailed mentoring and incubation of potentially successful business ideas and initiatives. He added that the youth, being the majority of the world population and the most technologically advanced, it was only logical that they should be provided with opportunities to develop and contribute to advancing the world economy.
The stakeholders in Gazelle would select 40 young business minded individuals who would receive training from reputable business units in tertiary institutions, be mentored by notable business persons, get exposed to leadership networks, and receive financial support and incubation from financial institutions.
Katz said the selection process would be rigorous to ensure the beneficiaries lived up to the high expectations of the programme. He also suggested that more should be done at schools to encourage entrepreneurial thinking.
Details: ENSAfrica 011 269 7600.
