Youth portal launched to support businesses
Economic delveopment MEC says jobs will come from entrepreneurial enterprises.
MBOMBELA – Entrepreneurial youths are getting their promised increased government support.
The Mpumalanga Youth Biz Portal was recently launched by MEC for economic development, environment and tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane at Mbombela Stadium.
Their web-based youth-business directory service was developed by the department and the Office of the Premier, and is supported by the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mpumalanga and Mbombela Local Municipality.
The premier, Mr David Mabuza announced the planned portal during his State of the Province Address earlier this year.
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He said, “Young people must be at the forefront of exploiting the opportunities presented by both government and business.”
The one-stop information service is meant to allow youth suppliers, government, the private sector and potential clients to connect and share information.
Kholwane called on the youth to unearth their inner entrepreneurial skills to contribute towards economic growth.
“Statistics indicate that large businesses are no longer creating jobs in high numbers, but small ones do,” he told the assembled youths.
“This means small businesses are now the main drivers of jobs, hence I urge you to utilise the portal to your advantage.”
The portal will not only assist the youth to access business opportunities from government, its agencies and the private sector, but also offer them a platform to profile their services.
Kholwane further urged service providers to register on the government’s central supplier database. It is expected to go live on April 1, and is to be the single source of suppliers’ information for all organs of state.
“What this means is that you will be required to register your business once, and your company will appear in all government departments, state- owned entities and municipalities across the country.
“We are also introducing the e-Tender System as part of improving business processes in the provincial government.
“We urge you to register your businesses on the new databases. You can even do this in the comfort of your home.”
- The Mpumalanga Youth Biz Portal can be accessed at and the central supplier database here.
