The Cultural and Creative Industries Guild of Africa (CCIGA) brought together residents from across Midrand for its Empower Gauteng Residents initiative, creating a platform designed to equip community members with practical skills, career guidance and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The event hosted at The Plot Studios in Carlswald featured four panel discussions focusing on mental health and awareness, skills development, employment and career opportunities, business development, entrepreneurship and funding, and network marketing.

Read more: Vorna Valley entrepreneur turns financial setback into thriving business

Aimed at addressing some of the challenges facing many South Africans, particularly unemployment, limited access to business funding and the need for skills development, the initiative also provided a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to engage with industry experts and gain valuable insights into growing sustainable businesses.

Residents who attended the event had the opportunity to learn about career pathways, available skills development programmes and employment opportunities while also receiving guidance on accessing funding for existing businesses and innovative business ideas.

The mental health and awareness discussion highlighted the importance of prioritising emotional well-being, particularly for individuals navigating the pressures of unemployment, entrepreneurship and everyday life.

Panellists encouraged attendees to seek support when needed and emphasised that mental wellness plays a vital role in personal and professional success.

One of the panellists, Priscilla Molepo, interlinked financial literacy and mental health, saying that when people understand their financial traumas, that saves them from mental health issues.

Also read: Young entrepreneur balances business, pageants, and community impact

“We sometimes spend from a point of lack, and because of the traumas we went through in the past. So when you have grown up in such an environment where you lack, you end up wanting to spend on unnecessary things the moment you get money. Understanding this trauma can help people, especially young people, with their mental wellness.”

During the sills development, employment and career opportunities session, experts shared advice on improving employability through continuous learning, professional development and adapting to the changing job market.

The business development, entrepreneurship and funding panel focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on starting and growing businesses, while outlining potential funding opportunities available to qualifying enterprises.

Attendees were encouraged to transform their ideas into viable businesses and seek support through available funding programmes.

Also read: Nova Talks crowns Harvest Cafe as top business idea

The final discussion on network marketing explored alternative income-generating opportunities and highlighted how individuals can build sustainable businesses through strategic networking, relationship building and entrepreneurship.

Organisers said the initiative was created to empower residents by providing them with information, resources and connections that could help improve their economic prospects and personal development.

Board member of CCIGA Eva Nteso said the initiative was started three years ago because of the growing need for employment, funding opportunities and skills development training for young creative people.

“As CCIGA, we then thought, how about we assist those companies that are presently willing to give out the opportunities by looking for those who don’t know the importance of having such.

Every month we go out seeking them, and we find a lot of people who need these opportunities,” added Nteso.

By bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs and community members under one roof, the event encouraged collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation while giving residents the tools needed to pursue employment, establish businesses and unlock new growth opportunities.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!