Minister warns students against galavanting

STANDERTON- The minister for small business development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu has appealed to the youth to stop galavanting and focus on nurturing their future through taking advantage of government initiatives that will transform them into fully fledged entrepreneurs.

Zulu was speaking during the launch of the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the Gert Sibande Tvet College, Ermelo Campus on March 13.

This is as a result of a partnership entered between the Small Business Development ministry and the college, including the provincial government represented by the MEC for Dedet, Mr Eric Kholwane, the ministry of higher education and the business sector.

The CIE has been established to enable the youth to be trained into establishing small businesses out of the various skills they studied at the TVET colleges on completion they will be taught on how to formulate business ideas, mentored, set up businesses and secure funding.

“We are aware, as government, that when you complete your studies, you remain unemployed. Through this entrepreneurship initiative, we aim to transform you from job seekers to fully fledged entrepreneurs.

“To ensure that this succeeds, we have roped in all stakeholders to assist you in achieving this goal. But most importantly, it needs more seriousness from you as young people. Stop galavanting as it wastes a lot of your time, whereby you lose focus of your objectives in life.

“We need to take a cue from African countries where entrepreneurship is a norm. Our country is dependent on welfare, which is non-existent anywhere in other countries. As South African youth, we must prepare to positively contribute to the growth of our economy as entrepreneurs. I know what I’m talking about because I have been guilty of galavanting during my youth as well.

“I made a turnaround in my life and joined the ANC, went through the Solomon Mahlangu School in Tanzania, went further to study journalism where I obtained a master’s degree, all studied in Russian, including my thesis.

“As we speak, I can Speak Russian, Portuguese, a little bit of French and many other languages. When I came back to South Africa I became a deputy speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, served as international advisor to President Zuma and now I am a member of the ANC’s NEC, a member of parliament, and a minister.

“If I could overcome galavanting, surely you also can overcome that and take this country forward because South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white, as had been prescribed in our founding document, the Freedom Charter.

“Take it upon yourselves that from today, henceforth, we are assisting you to be responsible citizens and be economic developers than merely being job seekers,” she concluded.

Hosts, CEO of GS Tvet College, Mr Nick Balkrishen said, “Students, you are amazing just the way you are. The college exists because of government support. Our priority, therefore, is about access and producing results. A few years ago we had 5 000 students but now it’s way over 11 000.

“Bursaries provided by government are R15 million. With such overwhelming support, we request you, dear minister, to take our message President Zuma that it has been amazing the way we have been supported. In 2007 our pass rate was 64 per cent and now it is 85 per cent.

“For me, as principal, although we are doing well, a majority of our graduates are unemployed. We are indeed excited by this new venture. This is the beginning of a journey that will enable them to be successful entrepreneurs. This is the first of its kind in the country. 30 students will be accommodated in the first in-take of the programme and at the end of the programme they will be successful business people.

“They will also be in a position to employ more students, at least two each. Thank you for the vision you have shown to change lives,” he said.

The SRC president, Lunga Makhube said, “Our motto is nothing for the students without the students. It’s good to be part of this launch. Thank God, we’ve been waiting for this day. We appreciate the partnership, but we want to emphasise that a true entrepreneur is a doer.”

Former student, Sizwe Mkhwanazi, now working at the University of Johannesburg’ Soweto campus as a lecturer, said the time had come for the advancement of entrepreneurship at youth level.

“I will be doing something for the centre.in terms of mentorship, support students at idea stages, hold workshops at the different colleges on entry level. It must go beyond on how to start a business. I will guide graduates on launching their businesses and collaboration with the centre and other centres, including the one located at the Soweto campus.

“We need similar initiatives as using cooperatives as centre drivers of business development. The impact of the college on me, being admitted at the age if 14 years. I commit myself to supporting the centre, you will reap the fruit you have sown for yourselves,” he said.

President of the local chamber of business, Mr Athol Stark said he saw various roles at play through the initiative of the centre, which included tourism and the region’s unique features which could be utilised into a business entity by the students.

“We always complain when things are not okay on the roads and highlight that government does not do its job, but when it is fixed, we look for another loophole. We have plenty to exploit with our unique wetlands for tourists here. We need to rethink our attitude and change it to positive thinking,” he said.

Mr Musa Ngubeni of the department of higher education and learning said, “This initiative is in good hands, knowing GS College very well. You are going to enjoy the fruits of this initiative. Mkhwanazi is a good example of this result. Young people must get involved in business.

“According to research, 14 per cent youths in Africa want to start their own businesses. It will imbue a sense of urgency and ignite a desire in young people to do so. In South Africa, only 35 per cent are willing. In essence, we need to inculcate this culture of entrepreneurship to grow our economy,” he concluded.