Four teenagers from McAuley House in Parktown will travel to Harare in Zimbabwe from 7 to 9 December to represent South Africa in the annual Junior Achievement (JA) Regional Company of the Year Competition.
“We are extremely proud of the Core Vortex JA South Africa representatives who not only showcase the talent of young South African entrepreneurs, but also demonstrate the potential of female entrepreneurship in our country,” said Nelly Mofokeng, acting managing director of JA South Africa.
The competition is the culmination of the highly-acclaimed JA Regional Company programme, which adds a competitive element to the learning experience that provides young entrepreneurs with practical exposure to the competitive world of international business.
The McAuley House teenagers were automatically selected to present their business called, Core Vortex, at the regional competition in Zimbabwe when they won the JA South Africa Company of the Year in July. Core Vortex manufactures decorative jars made from various recycled material.
“The regional competition allows young people to demonstrate their business acumen and spirit of entrepreneurship in a competitive environment,” added Mofokeng.
The JA Company Programme impacts more than 380 00 African youths each year. It teaches schoolgoers how to start and run their own businesses and provides the necessary foundational skills to develop and market a product or service under the guidance of local business volunteers and mentors.
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Through qualification rounds at national level, finalists are selected to showcase their business acumen in a more competitive environment at regional level. There, the competition creates a signature showcase for Junior Achievement, its sponsors and the students.
This year, more than 100 young entrepreneurs from across Africa will attend the event. Delegations will represent South Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Competition participants will compete for prizes by showcasing their products to panels of judges consisting of business people and influencers from across Zimbabwe. The theme for this year’s event is Start Young: Own Your Future.
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