Premier Ntombela gives young entrepreneurs reason to celebrate Youth Day
As part of the commemorations of the 1976 Student Uprisings, which is today celebrated as Youth Day, the Premier of the Free State, Hon. Sefora ‘Sisi’ Ntombela, joined more than a hundred of young people at the launch of Tabalaza Youth Business Pitching Programme in Bloemfontein.
The Department of Small Business, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, in partnership with the Free State Black Business Chamber Small Business, today commemorated Youth Day in historic style. The Tabalaza Programme is an initiative which seeks to create a platform that links young entrepreneurs with potential investors.
In an effort to encourage youth entrepreneurship, the Tabalaza Programme also runs a competition, where entrepreneurs with best ideas receive prize money. Kgosi, who runs an animation business, was last year’s winner, and was given a cheque of R70 000 by the Hon. Premier today.
For the 2018/19 financial year, R3 million has been set aside for the competition. Each district has been allocated R500 000, where three winners in each District will receive prizes as follows;
- 1st Prize: equipment worth R250 000
- 2nd Prize: equipment worth R150 000
- 3rd Prize: equipment worth R100 000.
A comprehensive Activity Plan, which outlines a programme from now until 22 February 2019, was also announced. The event of today follows the announcement by the Hon. Premier when she launched Youth Month on 1st June 2018, at Brandfort, that the Free State Provincial Government will henceforth show its commitment to youth development.
“The youth of 1976, who participated in a demonstration today, and lost their lives, fought for development. We are serious about youth development”, Premier Ntombela said.
Enquiries:
Mr. Tiisetso Makhele
E-mail: tiisetso.makhele@fspremier.gov.za/makhelets@live.com
Tel: 051 405 5799
Cell: 076 833 0033
