Empowaworx recently hosted a three-day EmpowaYouth Program at Mmabatho Civic Centre, joined by different Department Representatives to provide numerous opportunities to South African youth to combat poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
EmpowaYouth is an empowering platform that links young people to resources and industry expertise wherever they are. Through empowering, uniting and changing young people, the platform has a significant impact on the lives of young people.
The TETA's EmpowaYouth weekend aimed to prepare young people for future success in the workplace, foster limitless growth and set the groundwork for the North West's youth to be remembered for the standard of the economy. Investing in and reskilling youth in the North West will help them immediately return to work and create a more equitable, inclusive and resilient economy.
A panel discussion on the program that assisted entrepreneurs with questions, issues and opportunities for young entrepreneurs featured representatives from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), among others. The panel advised the business owners to be creative and to have the option of staying current with trends and obtaining funding.
"There are high growth sectors in the economy, you can talk of ICT manufacturing and also related, not for us as entrepreneurs to only look into an idea common to all," said Mike Phokela, Regional Manager of NYDA.
Each entity explained how it helps entrepreneurs obtain funding and scale up. Some entrepreneurs discussed the challenges they faced while searching for funding and help for their businesses and were assisted after the panel discussion.
Billy Selekane, a business owner, motivational speaker and author, advised unemployed grads to start acting better to obtain work. "The best route for you is not to send your CV to multiple employers to obtain work. Think about how you want to approach things differently, research the business you want to work for, analyse what you can change and then suggest to them. You are a million steps ahead of the other people who are just sending out CVs," he said.
The lack of jobs among young people affects their health, well-being and future. Hence one of the ways to get young people into the labour market is through youth entrepreneurship. Not only does it provide employment prospects to inexperienced youth, but it also impacts economic growth through new jobs, increased competition and innovation.
A master class on the future of work was delivered by Human Resources Specialist Monaclare Moyo, who strongly emphasised the need for technology and upskilling. She claims that technology, starting with the smartphones we already hold, will influence the future workplace.
She also gave the delegates pointers on answering scenario-based interview questions and underlined the importance of upskilling, considering the changing working style. "In the current job, upskilling is essential; one should possess employability, technical, social, and problem-solving abilities. You must be able to explain how your skills set you apart from the competition in this new environment,” she continued.
Lebogang Mosidi, a participant from Magogoe Village, says the EmpowaYouth Weekend was incredible because the speakers were so insightful and inspirational. She says her favourite part of the event was the "Health & Wellness" section, which addressed South African youth's pressures and how they can take proactive steps to improve their circumstances.
"During the Health and Wellness panel discussion, Thato Molamu urged us young people to be cautious of the friends and acquaintances we keep close to us; stated that we should surround ourselves with people who positively impact our lives, and I wholeheartedly agree. I am glad I went because it helped me see things more positively, gave me more confidence and prepared me to make changes in my life,” she said.
