Young people must take entrepreneurship development seriously because the country’s economy depends on Small Medium Micro Enterprise for growth, North West MEC for Finance Paul Sebegoe told over 200 youth gathered for the North West Development Economic Empowerment Workshop in Rustenburg on Thursday.
“You should aspire to be successful entrepreneurs and you should not hesitate to knock on the doors of government and the private sector for you to be able to realize your goals,” said Sebegoe who was delivering the keynote address on behalf of Premier Thandi Modise. He told delegates that the provincial government was serious about empowering the youth as illustrated by some of the commitments that the government has made towards youth development.
“Premier Modise has pledged over R 200 million for the development and support of SMME’s in this province and that money can be accessed through the Department of Economic Development, Environment , Conservation and Tourism. The premier also pledged to provide bursaries for those who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in areas such as Agriculture, Mining Engineering, Business studies and Medicine amongst others,” added Sebegoe.
Dr Mulunga Mwanza of the North West University who made a presentation on Youth Entrepreneurship and Development said it was important for the government and all stakeholders to stimulate innovation in a country such as South Africa where unemployment is rife. “There is a need for all stakeholders join hands and support innovative ideas from youth to groom an emerging breed of entrepreneurs,” said Mwanza.
One of the young people who attended the workshop, Lerato Babuseng, 30, of Manokwane near Taung expressed excitement that the workshop is an indication that planning is being done to give support to young people in their local communities. Babuseng added that young people can increase the economy of the province if more support is given to projects they initiate. Two-day workshop which ends today is a follow-up implementation of the resolutions taken at the Provincial Youth Development Review Summit that was held in Mahikeng in 2011.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokesperson
Tel : 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax:018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
