The Metropolitan Collective Shapers programme has officially entered its fourth season, and for the first time, it is being rolled out nationally, giving young entrepreneurs across South Africa a platform to showcase how they are reshaping the economy.

This season’s focus is empowering youth to tackle the country’s toughest challenges while unlocking opportunities in vital sectors such as agriculture and logistics.

The launch on September 26 at The Venue in Melrose drew a lively mix of business leaders, innovators and change-makers.

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The mood was one of urgency but also of hope, as speakers reminded the audience that South Africa’s most pressing problems can be transformed into opportunities when placed in the hands of driven young entrepreneurs.

“Today is more than a launch,” said MC Dan Moyane. “It’s about how Metropolitan, through Collective Shapers, is responding meaningfully to South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. When we empower young people with targeted support, we don’t just build businesses, we build communities, confidence and futures.”

Chimene Chetty, development professional and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder, added, “Even if a young person’s business doesn’t succeed, the experience should change their life.

Access to mentors, role models and networks can be transformative, especially for those from rural or township communities.”

Since its inception in 2021, the programme has already supported entrepreneurs across the country, from agriculture in Limpopo to hospitality in KZN, proving that the model can work at scale.

Season four marks a decisive step forward, taking the lessons of previous cohorts and amplifying them through a national platform.

The programme’s four-stage model blends soft skills, financial literacy, industry-specific training, mentorship and access to markets, a pathway designed not just to launch businesses, but to help them thrive in the long term.

Dr Sifiso Ntombela, an agricultural economist with extensive experience in business development, emphasised the importance of agriculture, calling it a ‘security sector globally,’ capable of absorbing large numbers of young people.

He noted that inclusive growth was vital, South Africa must bridge the divide between commercial and small-scale farming, and effective logistics were key to moving perishable products efficiently.

Registered psychologist Dr Antoinette Basson spoke about the pressures young entrepreneurs face: “Many young South Africans lose hope after school or university, and pursuing entrepreneurship without support can be overwhelming. Mental health, peer networks, and mentorship are critical to sustaining their journey.”

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For cattle farmer and past participant Linda Mthalane, the journey was nothing short of transformative.

After losing her hospitality job during the pandemic, she leaned on her family’s farming roots, but found the road isolating. “

Through Collective Shapers, I found peers who supported me and mentors who guided me,” she said. “It gave me purpose, confidence and the courage to keep going.”

Metropolitan CEO Peter Tshiguvho summed up the ethos behind the programme with the company’s guiding philosophy: Together We Can. “Our role is not just financial,” he explained.

“It’s also psychological. By offering insurance, mentorship and partnerships, we help entrepreneurs weather challenges and build resilient, fundable businesses.”

And now, with the national rollout, the programme is expected to connect even more young entrepreneurs with the mentorship, resources and visibility they need to scale their impact, ensuring that the seeds of innovation planted across the country can grow into lasting, job-creating enterprises.

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