Top 30 Youth Hustle Hub Entrepreneurs announced

MTN announced its Top 30 MTN Pulse Youth Hustle Hub entrepreneurs out of 252 entries after a rigorous two-day judging process.

Having already won R25 000 towards their businesses for facilitation based on a business analysis process done by MTN, these top 30 young South African go-getters and hustlers from across the country will now do an intensive week-long mentorship programme in Johannesburg, honing their business acumen, skills and know-how.

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Seun Soladoye, the consumer prepaid general manager at MTN South Africa, was excited about the programme, saying, “This process has again proved that despite the challenges young South Africans face in employment, there is an indomitable spirit to take a chance or #LetsOperate, as we have kept saying during this project.

“When I look at the work young South Africans are doing based on the entries we received, it truly bodes well for SA’s future.”

The week-long Youth Hustle Hub mentorship programme will equip these entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge.

The participants will have various sessions, such as looking at key topics like the fundamentals of starting a business, business operations, assessing finances, marketing and sales, and visiting AMP’d Studio, a close MTN partner, to explore content marketing opportunities.

Of course, crucial to the programmes will be the one-on-one sessions with the Youth Hustle Hub mentors, who will impart their expertise to the next generation of SA entrepreneurs.

The final day will see the top 30 present their updated and polished business plans, hoping to win an additional R50 000 for the top prize.

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“As a responsible corporate citizen, MTN is proud to be opening up opportunities and giving young people the chance they need to succeed through the MTN Pulse Youth Hustle Hub programme and other similar MTN-led initiatives,” Soladoye notes.

Earlier this year, MTN launched the MTN Skillsbox Made4U career portal, providing resources to help job-seekers throughout their employment journey, and the MTN Skills Academy offers post-matric courses covering areas from digital marketing to data science.

As part of the broader initiative, there will be a series of free webinars, podcasts, and masterclasses in collaboration with AMP’d Studios to ensure the MTN Pulse Youth Hustle Hub programme is as inclusive as possible, reaching more than just the top 30 entrants but all 252 entrants and more.

Celebrity chef and philanthropist Miles Khubeka will host these classes and podcasts, with the masterclass guests including DJ Sbu, Bianca Naidoo, Nadia Naka, and Palesa Mokubung.

“We believe in building the youth for the future by addressing various challenges and celebrating the wins they might face, whether pursuing a career or entrepreneurship.

With this programme, we provide our entrants and an even wider audience access to valuable resources and insights through which they will learn and gain experience when running their businesses.

“The MTN Pulse Youth Hustle Hub represents a significant step towards nurturing youth-owned businesses and fostering innovation in our community.

“By providing tangible support and creating platforms for interaction and growth, we aim to enable aspiring entrepreneurs to thrive in a dynamic business environment,” Soladoye concludes.