Youth day highlights need to invest in entrepreneurial development
The unemployment rate in South Africa was estimated at 26.7% in March 2016, a significant increase from 24.5% in the first quarter of the year – according to Statistics South Africa. Youth Day, which is acknowledged annually on the 16 June, highlights the need for Corporate South Africa to invest in skills development and entrepreneurial training in order to address the pressing issue of unemployment among the youth.
This is according to Janice Finlay, Head of Economic Development at Solar Capital - a leading solar plant developer that recently launched the largest solar farm in the Southern Hemisphere - who says that unemployment among South African youth is not only a pressing social issue, but is also a major obstacle standing in the way of economic growth in the country. “To address this issue, Solar Capital recently started its Solar Capital Enterprise Development Youth Programme, which aims to create start-up businesses that will be owned and run by 16 local youngsters between the ages of 16 and 21 in De Aar, Northern Cape.”
Finlay explains that a possible solution to the high unemployment rate in the country is entrepreneurship, but that approximately 80% of start-ups in the country fail. “In order to provide the necessary training and guidance for the start-ups within our youth development programme, workshops are held by Dr Johan van Zyl and Mr Clinton Massyn from the University of the Free State once a month. These workshops provide guidance with regards to basic business and marketing skills and provides practical support in choosing a business idea and running with it.”
In addition to the training, each youngster will be allocated a certain amount of money to purchase income generating assets to start their own business, adds Finlay. “Business ideas identified thus far include sheep farming, hair extension distribution, a health restaurant, recycling, photography, a butchery, and a coffee shop.”
One of the programme participants, 21-year-old Xolile Sotho, explains why he thought the Programme was important. “The average man on the street in South Africa doesn’t have knowledge about what is going on inside and outside a business. This programme assisted us in learning so much about the admin side of business. I think it is valuable because South Africa has such a high unemployment rate, and if we entrepreneurs create successful businesses we can create further jobs for other people who are unemployed. We would give other people a chance. I look forward to getting my business up and running” says Sotho.
Lu-Zahn Theron and Inge van Staden, friends and learners at Hoërskool De Aar who will soon be running a health-food restaurant in town, explain their take on the progamme. “This programme has really assisted us both with real practical experience of how to start a business. University will give us a theoretical background in our fields of study, but it won’t give us the confidence and practical experience as this course has done. To know that we can start and grow a business which could not only become a success but also offer employment to other people is exhilarating,” says Theron.
“These young people are determined to create opportunities for themselves and others in an environment where unemployment is rife and hope much needed. There are many such communities where investment in skills development is required in order to uplift local youth and combat unemployment,” concludes Finlay.
This is according to Janice Finlay, Head of Economic Development at Solar Capital - a leading solar plant developer that recently launched the largest solar farm in the Southern Hemisphere - who says that unemployment among South African youth is not only a pressing social issue, but is also a major obstacle standing in the way of economic growth in the country. “To address this issue, Solar Capital recently started its Solar Capital Enterprise Development Youth Programme, which aims to create start-up businesses that will be owned and run by 16 local youngsters between the ages of 16 and 21 in De Aar, Northern Cape.”
Finlay explains that a possible solution to the high unemployment rate in the country is entrepreneurship, but that approximately 80% of start-ups in the country fail. “In order to provide the necessary training and guidance for the start-ups within our youth development programme, workshops are held by Dr Johan van Zyl and Mr Clinton Massyn from the University of the Free State once a month. These workshops provide guidance with regards to basic business and marketing skills and provides practical support in choosing a business idea and running with it.”
In addition to the training, each youngster will be allocated a certain amount of money to purchase income generating assets to start their own business, adds Finlay. “Business ideas identified thus far include sheep farming, hair extension distribution, a health restaurant, recycling, photography, a butchery, and a coffee shop.”
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| Xolile Sotho |
One of the programme participants, 21-year-old Xolile Sotho, explains why he thought the Programme was important. “The average man on the street in South Africa doesn’t have knowledge about what is going on inside and outside a business. This programme assisted us in learning so much about the admin side of business. I think it is valuable because South Africa has such a high unemployment rate, and if we entrepreneurs create successful businesses we can create further jobs for other people who are unemployed. We would give other people a chance. I look forward to getting my business up and running” says Sotho.
 |
| Lu-Zahn Theron & Inge van Staden |
Lu-Zahn Theron and Inge van Staden, friends and learners at Hoërskool De Aar who will soon be running a health-food restaurant in town, explain their take on the progamme. “This programme has really assisted us both with real practical experience of how to start a business. University will give us a theoretical background in our fields of study, but it won’t give us the confidence and practical experience as this course has done. To know that we can start and grow a business which could not only become a success but also offer employment to other people is exhilarating,” says Theron.
“These young people are determined to create opportunities for themselves and others in an environment where unemployment is rife and hope much needed. There are many such communities where investment in skills development is required in order to uplift local youth and combat unemployment,” concludes Finlay.
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