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We understand that young entrepreneurs face certain challenges when they want to start their own businesses. Access to funding, education and training, better infrastructure, and networking opportunities are some of the challenges they can face. Different programmes have been put in place to remove unnecessary challenges and assist young entrepreneurs. You can contact the following organisations should you need assistance: The Western Cape Government established the Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn in collaboration with the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) to enable, support, and grow the township tech ecosystem in the Western Cape. The Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn is South Africa's only township-based tech hub and offers community space that supports tech entrepreneurship, innovation and digital skills development within the Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain communities. For more information about the Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn, visit their website. #GoDigital initiative is no longer offered but it provides valuable resources to help SMME’s adopt digital technologies and practices to grow and enter new markets. You can still make use of the webinars and articles provided:
For over 38 years, JASA’s in-school and out-of-school youth programmes have provided entrepreneurship, financial literacy and workplace readiness training, reaching upwards of 7 000 learners and young adults annually. Through experiential learning, participants tackle real issues related to starting up and running small businesses, and the Services SETA has accredited 2 premium JASA programmes at NQF Level 4. Out-of-school youth The premium Youth Enterprise Development Programme guides 18 to 35 year-olds through the process of establishing sustainable businesses. For 6 months, participants attend incubator-style classes, followed by a further 6 months of support and mentorship. High school The Enterprise Programme is the flagship offering for Grade 10 and 11 learners. The learners form companies and go through the entire process of starting up businesses and developing products or services. They learn about all the aspects of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and life skills. A longer version is the premium Entrepreneurship Academy Programme. There are other shorter entrepreneurial courses, including programmes focussing on addressing environmental issues, financial literacy, career planning and workplace readiness. National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) The National Youth Development Agency helps create opportunities for youth employment and youth entrepreneurship by developing, funding and supporting effective programmes. The fund was established by the South African Government in response to the high youth unemployment in the country. The NYDA Grant Programme aims to provide young entrepreneurs an opportunity to access both financial and non-financial business development support to establish their survivalist businesses.
Young people interested in accessing the grant programme will have to commit to participating in the NYDA mentorship and voucher programme for a minimum of 2 years. Please visit their website for more information. For more information contact JASA at: Western Cape office NYDA Call Centre 0800 52 52 52 Physical Address Tel: 087 158 7701 |