Maponya Mall launches Community Hub
The reality of Soweto is that communities are faced with a lot challenges that do not only affect the youth but everyone.
Last week WednesdayMarch 08, Maponya Mall Community Hub hosted an exclusive launch as means of uplifting the community of Soweto at the Tavern Restaurant.
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The reality of Soweto is that communities are faced with a lot challenges that do not only affect the youth but everyone.
However, the purpose of the event was to launch the life changing Maponya Mall Community Hub for the public and to benefit members of the community.
Anelisa Keke from the programmes said, “Our initiatives are going to focus on the youth development as well as SMMEs and NPOs development programmes. To empower the community at large through these multiple programmes we are launching.”
According to Keke, it is difficult for young people to enter the job market. They often hear the refrain that it is not because there is a lack of talent but it is because their talent does not have the experience that they need in order to become employable.
“We are going to launch a youth programme which will consist of three interventions. Youth Acceleration Programme, Retail Academy and ICT Academy and these will include 170 learners who are taking a gab year,” said Keke.
The Maponya Mall Community Hub aims to improve access to information, opportunities for skills development programmes and encourage collaborative partnerships that foster economic participation and social inclusion for the people of Soweto.
These youth programmes will not provide theoretical training to attain skill but they will be given vocational training to produce young people who are going to compete in the tertiary environment.
Keke also mentioned that SMMEs are required to jump start this economy although they do not get enough support to formalise their services.
“We are going to equip the SMMEs with the skills to market their products and raise funding while the end goal is to make sure they are in the position to get their goods and products on the retail shelves,” Keke mentioned.
The Maponya Mall Community Hub concept was formed as a platform to assist in the development of Youth, Small Businesses and NGOs in 2018 through the partnership of Redefine Properties, Dr Richard Maponya Institute for Skills & Entrepreneurship Development, FNB Philanthropy and Afrika Tikkun Foundation. The Maponya Mall Community Hub will provide skills development programmes to Youth, SMMEs and NGOs.
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“These initiatives are making it clear that a Mall is not just for shopping and refreshing outings.
“But Maponya Mall is here to help you connect with other members of the community as well as helping you sustain your family and more especially assist progress in your personal and professional development,” Keke added.
For more information on the programme young people can visit the Community Hub inside Maponya Mall.
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