By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
Recently , one hundred and eighty (180) young entrepreneurs who are the beneficiaries of Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project (IYDP) based in Alexandra township were handed-over new start-up kits that will help start and grow their own small businesses.
This happened during the launch of a business incubation hub at the San Kopano Resource Centre in Alexandra.
The event was hosted by the Gauteng Department of Social Development in partnership with Ikusasalethu Centre of Excellence, SEDA and TymeBank.
The business hub will see more and more young people who are trained on various skills traits such as ICT (End User Computing, Graphic design, Web Design & System Development), Security electronic Installation, Construction, Nail and Beauty Technology and New Venture creation presented with an amenable opportunity to run their own businesses.
The centre of excellence will also endorse the incubation of these young people’s businesses and cooperatives for a certain period and provide them with mentorship until they are able to stand on their own.
Addressing the young aspiring entrepreneurs, Chief Director: Sustanable Livelihood and Youth Development, Solly Ndweni highlighted the importance of perseverance and passion in the business emvironment.
Ndweni told them that they would never be successful business owners if they didn’t have a drive to succeed.
“With all this start-up equipment, the department is saying, go out there, fly high and flourish as you endeavour to grow your businesses.
“I want to tell you the truth that in every business environment, there are challenges and you must work hard against those challenges.
“You must never be demoralised by failure, because it is part of the game,” he said.
Ndweni indicated that entreprenurs were not giving up easily and they are not scared of a failure.
He encouraged the youths to be more innovative at all times if they wanted to remain relevant in a constantly evolving business environment.
He said entrepreneurs were those who prepared to fall and rise.
“If you are not prepared to rise again if you fail, then you must go and look for employment, because you are not an entrepreneur.
“You must always think out of the box and find ways to out-smart your competitors in your business space so that your business can grow.
“We want you to become employers of other young people.”
Chairperson of IYDP, Constance Benech said the business hub was aimed at tackling issues of youth development, poverty alleviation, inequality, and to combat youth unemployment.
Benech further indicated that the entrepreneurship programme aimed to contribute to poverty reduction through entrepreneurship development programmes with focus on incubating and mentoring income generating projects, emanating from skills training programme or special income generation linked to development centres.
“We want to provide support and mentor young people who are eager to change their lives through technical skills development that we are offering, such as construction, tiling, roofing, pest control, ICT and all the skills programmes are accredited to SEDA,” she said.
Ikusasalethu Youth Development was approved for funding towards skills development in the 4th quarter of 2019/20 for a four months project.
In 2020/2021, the NPO was appointed to train four hundred young people (200 in ICT NQF 4 and Construction NQF 4).
Despite the COVID-19 challenges, Ikusasalethu impressively ensured that the participants continued with the programmes within strict measures.
It is envisaged that in 2022/2023, Ikusasalethu will continue to render accredited skills development programmes and four hundred and Fifty (450) young people will benefit in this financial year with a greater potential for these young people to become entrepreneurs or employed.
Pics supplied.
