Turning job seekers into job creators
Entrepreneurship provides an opportunity for young people to develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making.
IN recent times, we have seen a rise in entrepreneurs as people look for ways to become their own chief executive officers (CEOs). In a country where jobs are scarce, society needs to change its mindset from job seeker to job creator.
It is common in our society to follow the straight path of going to school and then finding a job. However, this path has become increasingly challenging with the unemployment rate in the country currently standing at 35.3% as reported by Stats SA. The diminishing job opportunities over the years have prompted more people to explore entrepreneurship as a viable alternative.
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Maemu Lambani, a self-made CEO at the age of 22, is the owner of Spotless, a manufacturing company. Lambani shared insights into why entrepreneurship has not been normalised in society.
“There are a lot of people who have got the entrepreneurship bug in them, but it hasn’t been activated because they haven’t been exposed to someone who’s doing entrepreneurship successfully, or they don’t think entrepreneurship is a valid career path.
“I was very lucky. For one, I grew up with my grandmother who is still an entrepreneur today. She sells, she makes, she brews African traditional beer. She sells popcorn and stuff. I knew that was a very valid career path. But as much as I knew that it was possible I could earn a decent living from that, I didn’t think it was something I could just wake up to one day. I didn’t want be an entrepreneur; I had to fail at something first and take that as the second option.”
To foster a society of entrepreneurs, Lambani suggests initiating a cultural shift in our school curriculum to legitimise the choice of becoming an entrepreneur.
“Being an entrepreneur requires drive, passion, the willingness to take risks and the initiative to act now rather than later. It involves challenging yourself, stepping beyond your comfort zone and having the confidence to sell your product. A strong support system is crucial on this potentially challenging and lonely journey.”
Being an entrepreneur goes beyond personal success; it entails the ability to create jobs, a crucial need in our country. Lambani emphasises the responsibility of every young person to recognise the need for job creation.
“I think every young person should start understanding that it’s one of our responsibilities to create employment,” said Lambani.
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