Limpopo is a province that is faced with a challenge of growing unemployment in young people who survive under difficult social conditions regardless of their educational backgrounds. For those that have matriculated and have gone through tertiary education, the frustration becomes even worse when they are unable to enter the job market due to lack of experience sought by most employers. This unbearable situation creates a society of young people who would then seek alternative routes of survival, including involvement in criminal activities.
With the growing number of matriculants and graduates entering the limited job market, the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism sought to develop Limpopo youth through the Limpopo Youth-Biz competition now in its fourth year which aims to contribute in the eradication of unemployment amongst young people by funding their business plans.
Because the government has placed the issue of youth empowerment high on its agenda, the department saw it fit through the creation of the Limpopo Youth-Biz competition to create a platform for youth from around the province to showcase their business ideas, their business acumen and to compete for the prize of up to R200 000 . This amount is not paid out to winners as cash but paid directly to the suppliers of the resources needed for the business.
Only the applicable working capital is released to the entrepreneur on monthly basis. The competition is an opportunity for unemployed youth to turn their viable business ideas into real businesses at their preferred location serving their identified markets. In 2009, the competition started in the month of June and involved the processes of advertising, training, short listing; adjudications and finally the prize giving ceremony that took place on 13 August 2009 at Honey Moon Lodge in Seshego.
During the prize giving ceremony, the General Manager for Integrated Economic Development Services Ms Carol Nkambule had this to say to past and current winners “Winning means that you should now plan to create more jobs. Please take care of your businesses so that other young people are inspired by your successes”. Ms Nkambule concluded her address by saying: “We urge those who did not win to get assistance from the relevant district offices and understand that sometimes we have to start small so that we can grow big. Create your own wealth and let Limpopo prosper”.
Another speaker Mr Rodgers Tshivhase from the Youth Commission started off by commending and applauding the department for the intervention which is ensuring that young people get a chance to realise their business ideals but also cautioned that more still needs to be done. Tshivhase called on all stakeholders to join hands with Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism to increase the impact of the intervention by increasing the budget of the competition.
“We call upon Further Education and Training (FET) colleges to take part in the competition. The future belongs to young people, which is why they need to be actively involved. There should be nothing about the youth without the youth,” Tshivhase concluded.
According to Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA) Chief Executive Officer Reggie Mpe, the global recession presents a good opportunity to start their businesses and to be creative. Mr Mpe encouraged young people to familiarise themselves with technology, as it is one of the keys to success in business.
“The Limpopo Youth-Biz competition will continue to create a pool of mentors. It is a springboard to open up doors in business. Most of the past winning businesses in the past have been in information technology but it is high time that we start looking at agro processing, manufacturing and tourism.” Mpe concluded by assuring the winners that they will always have the full support of LIBSA and the department.
District: Waterberg
Name of business: The Meatier Plava Car Wash
Prize amount: R170 000
District: Vhembe
Name of business: Exclusive Pots
Prize amount: R200 000
District: Sekhukhune
Name of business: Lets Share Clothing
Prize amount: R184 000
District: Mopani
Name of business: Hakhensa Agrifarming
Prize amount: R200 000
District: Capricorn
Name of business: Sen-Peta Designing
Prize amount: R120 000
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government
16 October 2009
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.ledet.gov.za/)
