Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards celebrate youth excellence
Pat on Brand’s Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards continue to recognise the hard work, innovation and excellence of today’s youth.
Did you know that about 35.7% of South Africa’s population are youth?
This is why it is important to change the stigma around the youth and start recognising their hard work, innovation and excellence.
This was according to Pat on Brands owner and entrepreneur Patrick Mahlangu as the team and its partners celebrated the success of its augural Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards at the Solo Restaurant in Sandton on August 15.
“Usually when the story is told about the youth in the media, it is always negative – they say the youth is lazy, the youth is unemployed and the youth is entitled. But here you have a group of young individuals doing amazing things.
“They did not wait for funding, they did not wait for assistance, they took what they had and grew their brands. These are individuals that are positively contributing to the economy of this country.”
The first of its kind, the awards are aimed at recognising and empowering proudly South African brands that are owned by the youth (between the ages of 18 and 35).
Out of a total of 482 highly competitive awards nominations, 16 ‘Top Brand’ businesses were awarded at a ceremony in June.
Reciepents included Sandton’s very own Solo Restaurant for Best Food Brand and Tshepo Jeans in Hyde Park was awarded as Overall Top Brand and Top Apparel Brand.
Mahlangu added that it is important to acknowledge that the youth of South Africa are the drivers of job creation and sustainable economic growth.
“We cannot talk about the transformation of the marketing and communications industry and exclude youth-owned brands. Additionally, we can’t talk about addressing high unemployment among the youth without mentioning youth-owned brands.
“They are key in driving the economic transformation agenda. We are thrilled to not only shine a light on the brands but to contribute to the support of local brands.”
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/317057/station-commander-discusses-the-youth/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/318426/sandton-youth-highlight-the-importance-of-women-in-society/
