The Xpose Level Up accelerator, hosted by Tshehetso Youth Foundation (TYF) at 3 Square Sports Stadium, brought together young entrepreneurs determined to reshape their futures. The four-day boot camp focused on turning fledgling entrepreneurial ventures into thriving businesses, with sessions ranging from vision-building to practical marketing techniques.

Business coach Ndzutha Mngqibisa emphasised the importance of the programme in developing future entrepreneurs. He shared that many of the businesses operate on a hand-to-mouth model, often limiting their scalability to something more than just a means of survival.

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“It focuses on entrepreneurship, skills development, as well as psychosocial support. We help young people, who are our target group. We have been running programmes, helping young people establish entities,” TYF founder Makwatse Ramokgopa shared.

As Alexandra’s youth continue to battle with unemployment and poverty, compounded by the exploding population, among others, Ramokgopa said she urges the youth to look inward for solutions.
“Look in their community right here in Alex. There are a lot of opportunities. There are a lot of challenges that we face, and they [youth] could be the solution to the problem.”

The accelerator does not stop at business advice; it offers psychosocial support, mentorship, and long-term engagement. “It’s not just a case of us coming as an organisation, speaking and leaving youth to fend for themselves. We are going step by step with them through the process, from ideation, vision casting, to developing their business and to implementation,” Mngqibisa explained.

The impact is already notable. According to Ramokgopa, the programme has helped participants launch businesses, study abroad, and create cross-continental enterprises. “We have one studying overseas now, and one of our facilitators from Alex is now running entities, even across Africa, and is also funding the programme.”

As the organisation continues to grow, there is hope that more young people will be added to the programme. Mngqibisa said, “What we are trying to do with this programme is to help turn those dreams which your friends would laugh at you for having, into a reality.”

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