Limpopo, Eastern Cape & North West
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Youth Entrepreneurship Tour aims to extend entrepreneurship development support across South Africa and Africa at large including township and rural communities. In addition, the tour seeks to showcase youth-owned ventures by providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to tell their stories about their entrepreneurial journeys through the Proudly African Youth Podcast. The podcast is a product of the YAEI Proudly African Communications company.
To ensure impact on the young entrepreneurs and their ventures post the tour, YAEI will enroll 500 entrepreneurs and their ventures on a three month post-tour support programme. This programme will offer a combination of tailored entrepreneurial skills and enterprise development support both new venture creation and effective business management practice for existing ventures.
In 2023, YET reached about 1200 young entrepreneurs in 7 provinces with the 2024 target being 1500 in 9 provinces.
Taget Market
Young entrepreneurs, unemployed youth, university and high school learners in Township, Rural, and Informal Settlements of South Africa.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Tour kicked off in Limpopo!
Day 1: 2024 YET Youth Business Visit in Limpopo, Giyani
- 5 Businesses Visited: Impact Education, NMK Landscape, Thembi’s Goodies, and Ntwelo Beauty Boutiques.
- The Businesses visited are in education, manufacturing, beauty and the confectionery industries.
Day 2: Youth Innovation Challenge
The Youth Innovation Challenge is for young innovators with ideas that address the challenges faced by Africa in line with Agenda63 and UN SDGs. 23 entrepreneurs came out to present their ideas in the different sectors.
These sectors include ICT, Agro-processing, manufacturing, beauty, transport, textile, energy, finance and hospitality
- Attended by 33 entrepreneurs
- 23 entrepreneurs pitched
Day 3: Absa Day – The Financial Inclusion
The YAEIxAbsa YET in University of Venda wrapped up on Day 3 with Absa Day!
Shumani Nembudani, Senior Manager of the Centre for Entrepreneurship & Rapid Incubation at the University of Venda, who welcomed all entrepreneurs.
An address by the Chief Executive Officer of YAEI, Risuna Maluleke about the journey we are about to embark across South Africa.
A keynote address from the MEC of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism at the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Mr. Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe.
A panel discussion about, “Creating entrepreneurial pathways through financial inclusion” facilitated by Khesani Nyambi, Head of Advisory from YAEI, was held.
Absa’s banking experts delivered an insightful masterclass on Banking Beyond Transactions and Access to Markets and Funding.
- 193 entrepreneurs were in attendance (Participants came from Communities in Vhembe District, Mopani District, Capricorn District, UniVen and UL)
- Announcement of the Top 5 Innovators chosen from those who pitched on the Day 2 Event.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Tour 2nd stop, Eastern Cape, Gqeberha.
Day 1: Youth Innovation Challenge
The Youth Innovation Challenge is for young innovators with ideas that address the challenges faced by Africa in line with Agenda63 and UN SDGs. 31 entrepreneurs came out to present their ideas in the different sectors.
These sectors include ICT, Agro-processing, manufacturing, beauty, transport, textile, energy, finance and hospitality.
Judges:
- Khensani Nyambi, Head of Advisory at YAEI
- Dr. Anele Njoaweni, Nelson Mandela University Representative
- Olebogeng Moatshe, Absa Representative
- 31 entrepreneurs pitched
- Top 5 to form part of the Emerging30 Innovators
Day 2: Absa Day – The Financial Inclusion
The YAEIxAbsa Youth Entrepreneurship Tour at Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela University wrapped up on Day 2 , Absa Day.
Dr. Benard Sebake, Acting Dean of Students at Nelson Mandela University welcomed 137 entrepreneurs, eager to be part of the YAEIxAbsa Youth Entrepreneurship Programme.
Eastern Cape’s MEC of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters.
Shana Potgieter, Regional Specialist Alternative Lending Solutions and Enterprise Development expert from Absa, offered a master class on “Entrepreneurship and Formalisation: A Case for Building Sustainable Enteprises-Access to Markets and Funding”.
The #AbsaDay ended with a panel discussion, with the topic Creating entrepreneurial pathways through financial inclusion. Ms. Khensani Nyambi, Head of Advisory on Enterprise Solution facilitated the discussion alongside Mr. Andy de la Mare, Regional Manager External Sales at Absa Group, Ms. Linda Lawrie, Incubation Journey Facilitator at Propella, and Mr. Zipho Zwane, Portfolio Manager – International Partnerships, Technology Innovation Agency.
- 137 entrepreneurs were in attendance (Participants came from Communities in Gqeberha, East London, Alice, and Mthatha covering WSU, NMU, Fort Hare, Eastcape Midlands TVET College and communities.)
The Youth Entrepreneurship Tour 3rd stop, North West, Potchefstroom.
Day 1: Youth Innovation Challenge
The Youth Innovation Challenge is for young innovators with ideas that address the challenges faced by Africa in line with Agenda63 and UN SDGs. 23 entrepreneurs came out to present their ideas in the different sectors.
These sectors include ICT, Agro-processing, manufacturing, beauty, transport, textile, energy, finance and hospitality.
Judges:
- Mr. Ratang Selomane, the Relationship Executive Enterprise from Absa
- Linda Hasi, the Chief Innovation Officer
- Olebogeng Moatshe, Absa Representative
- Dr. Lerato Mdaka, as Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Management Science specialising in Entrepreneurship
- 23 entrepreneurs pitched
- Emerging 30 Top 5 were selected from those who pitched.
Day 2: Absa Day – The Financial Inclusion
The YAEIxAbsa Youth Entrepreneurship Tour at North West, at North West University wrapped up on Day 2 Absa Day!
Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, the Vice-Chancellor, at North West University, welcomed 143 entrepreneurs, eager to be part of the YAEIxAbsa Youth Entrepreneurship Programme.
Provincal Manager from SEDA, Mr. Sabelo Ntshangase, as a partner of the tour gave a message of support for the initiative Mr. Sidney Khotseng, the Area Segment Manager at Absa, offered a message of support on behalf of the anchor partner, Absa.
North West’s MEC of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms. Bitsa Lenkopane.
Happy Mpete, gave an inspirational entrepreneur success story, as Mr. Ratang Selomane, the Relationship Executive Enterprise from Absa gave a Masterclass on Entrepreneurship and Formalisation: A case for building sustainable enterprises.
A panel discussion on, “Creating Entrepreneurial Pathways through Financial Inclusion”, facilitated by Zenaye Skosana, the Marketing & Communications Manager at YAEI, with Ronald Nkhumise, a Senior Specialist in Business Development from Absa, Dr. Lerato Mdaka, as Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Management Science specialising in Entrepreneurship and Mr. Sabelo Ntshangase, a Provincial Manager from SEDA.
Laome Nagel, a Relationship Executive in Small Business at Absa, gave a presentation on Banking Beyond Transactions.
Ronald Nkhumise, the Senior Specialist in Business Development at Absa on Access to Markets and Funding.
The Youth Innovation Challenge Top 5 winners were announced by Linda Hasi, the Chief Innovation Officer.
Congratulations to –
- Charantaise & Abigail Muller, the founders of Chronicles South Africa.
- Thabelo Mohlala, the founder of MechaTech.
- Thando Vimba, the founder of The AgriXchange.
- Jodie Phillips, the co-founder of Waste Takers.
- Minenehle Njapha, the founder of Rent-A-Fridge SA.
The event ended with the Information Hub were entrepreneurs were able to exhibit their businesses.
- 143 entrepreneurs were in attendance (Participants came from Communities in Ga Matlala, Ramoshebo. Sebokeng, Bochum, Mohadin, Giyani, Silverstreet, Potchefstroom, Diepkloof and Johannesburg)
