Skill Festival benefits Tembisa youth

Tembisa youth were treated to a two-day skills workshop which took place on Friday and Saturday.

The skills festival was an initiative of Youth Lab under the auspices of I Cre8 Ekasi projects.

Youth Lab’s managing director Ms Tessa Dooms said the entire project, hosted at Royal House International Church, took place in four phases and the workshops on October 28 and 29 constituted the final stage.

“In stage one, we brought the youth together and did research through focus groups. Students, learners, job seekers and young entrepreneurs had to establish what the economic challenges and economic opportunities are. In so doing they were becoming part of the solution,” said Ms Dooms.

She said for the second stage of the I Cre8 Ekasi projects a community dialogue was staged on June 16, where the young people discussed the required economic skills identified in stage one.

“Those skills were the main focus on the first day’s workshop of the skills festival. Phase three was an innovation stage where the young people had to come up with innovative ideas. The young people needed to apply to be part of a boot camp. The two most practical ideas emanating from that were chosen to be refined and each winner received R10 000,” said Ms Dooms.

The winners were Mr Thulani Mkhonto and Ms Mpho Mogodiri.

Ms Dooms said the R10 000 would go towards putting their ideas into practice.

“The young entrepreneurs give us a budget of what they need to implement their innovative idea. Through that Youth Lab helps them to manage the money. Firstly we sent the winners for incubation with Sophia Town Green Incubator, which is one of our partners,” said Ms Dooms.

She said the idea of the skills festival originates from the boot camp activities.

“The young people came together to conceptualise a way to implement the idea. We gave them a budget and they ran the skills festival.”

Phindile Mchunu said the skills festival was a success and it drew a huge audience over the two days it ran.

“To get the word out there about the event we used social media, disseminated pamphlets and also relied on word of mouth,” said the boot camp winner and festival organiser, Ms Mchunu.

She said as organisers they also invited young entrepreneurs to come and exhibit what their companies do.

“This goes to show that you may not have academic qualifications but with the little knowledge and skills you have, you can make it through life,” said Ms Mchunu.

“We are sure Tembisa youth have gained knowledge and are hoping that they will use it for their future endeavours”.

Ms Pontsho Matlamela, a local jewellery designer and entrepreneur, said such events will give exposure to and provide more opportunities for Tembisa entrepreneurs.

“I feel good about the event. I got positive feedback and this is encouraging me to do more,” said Ms Matlamela.