GALLERY: Step Up 2 a Start Up empowers entrepreneurship
FOURWAYS – Executive chairperson of NYDA Yershen Pillay believes in instilling a spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth of South Africa.
Groups of sponsors came together to support a worthy initiative that is aimed at providing young entrepreneurs with the necessary tools in their chosen fields.
The official media launch of Step Up 2 a Start Up Youth Entrepreneurial Development took place on 27 August at Montecasino, in Fourways, where Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu was the keynote speaker.
The initiative is working toward instilling a mindset of entrepreneurship and wealth creation among disadvantaged young people in urban, rural and townships around South Africa.
The first two parts of the programme were created to inspire, inform and educate learners about entrepreneurship while the start-up business competition gives them the platform to apply the acquired skills and bring their ideas to life.
Managing director of Primestars Marketing Martin Sweet acknowledged the great impact Step Up 2 a Start Up will have on the mindset of young people, in inspiring them to have creative and business-minded ideas.”This initiative helps learners get the opportunity to start new businesses. This initiative puts an emphasis on practicing teamwork, trial and error that ultimately encourages learners to to pursue their goals,” he said.
Radio and TV personality Gareth Cliff had the crowd in stitches as MC for the evening while jazz musician Simphiwe Dana gave a soulful performance
before the evening’s proceedings officially started.
TV actress and presenter Boity Thulo is one of the Step Up 2 a Start Up ambassadors along with Gareth Cliff and musician Jimmy Nevis, who also gave an upbeat performance.
Executive chairperson National Youth Development Agency Yershen Pillay spoke about the organisation’s passion about empowering the youth and changing the lives of ordinary South Africans. “It’s important for our nation to be entrepreneurs, which is the engine that grows our economy,” he said. Pillay was then awarded with the Achiever Award, which was sponsored by Regenesys Business School.
