Entrepreneurs congratulated
BARBEQUE DOWNS - THE Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship Programme awarded seed capital to several youth-headed, vulnerable households for business start-ups at SAB Cyril Ramaphosa Training Centre on 2 July.
The programme was rolled out in a rural setting in Limpopo and in Witbank, and aims to empower youth to create economic opportunities. It promotes individual and entrepreneurial excellence, reducing poverty and inequality and assists young people in reaching an economically independent adulthood.
The programme is designed and implemented by TechnoServe, a not-for-profit company that promotes the growth of South African small-medium enterprises in the business sector in collaboration with the National Association of Child Care Workers, an independent, non-profit organisation that provides professional training and infrastructure to promote healthy child and youth development.
There were 50 young adults who embarked on this journey of entrepreneurship and have now come to a point where the most deserving have been selected to receive seed funding for their businesses.
The programme winners from Limpopo: Khongelani Mukhabela and Hlulani Chauke are working hard to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into a reality.
Mukhabela said their business, KCentre Business Enterprise, is an affordable internet café and printing business service, aimed at assisting local youth from high schools and colleges, as well as business people and the larger rural community to gain internet access and connect them to rest of the world.
Mukhabela said, “We have plans to grow our business beyond just printing and internet access to incorporate a broader spectrum of computer needs such as computer classes and IT studies.”
The winner from Witbank is Lucia Nthabiseng, the brain behind the concept of Tjhukutjhukuma, a fast food restaurant providing excellent fresh, high quality meals at value for money prices.
To keep Tjhukutjhukuma unique in a saturated market, Nthabiseng has targeted local youth and encouraged them to bring their friends and families to savour her signature dipping sauces in a fun and energetic environment.
Customers include local taxi drivers, mineworkers, students and busy home-makers.
“I use only local ingredients and offer various options for people who suffer from allergies, and the more health conscious that will allow me to stand out from any competition. Deliveries of orders will also be on the menu,” said Nthabiseng.
