Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Celebrates 2023 Innovator Trust Graduates From Across South Africa
Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Celebrates 2023 Innovator Trust Graduates From Across South Africa. Celebrations were in full throng this Youth Month as fifty young South Africans from across the country were announced as graduates of the 2023 Innovator Trust Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. The graduation was held through an online virtual ceremony earlier this month.
More popularly known as YEP, the Innovator Trust Youth Entrepreneurship Programme is aimed at providing business development and technological skills training to unemployed, matriculated youth with prospects to become future entrepreneurs. In its fifth year now, the YEP programme has graduated more than 154 South African youth, producing new young entrepreneurs to the South African economy. The YEP programme was initiated as a partnership between Vodacom and the Innovator Trust back in 2017, with the focus of addressing increasing rates of youth unemployment and encouraging entrepreneurial innovation through exposing youth to opportunities in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship.
The Innovator Trust has historically recruited youth from the Vodacom Academy into the 1-year YEP programme annually. “I believe entrepreneurs are not born but rather made. Joining the YEP programme provides you with access to markets, teaches you how to manage your finances and self-management to be a better entrepreneur,” said Senzeni Dladla, CEO of digital communications agency, INFOMedia and former YEP and Vodacom Academy graduate who delivered a keynote address at this year’s YEP graduation event. As part of the year-long programme, youth are required to conceptualise their own ideas and develop them into business plans. Thereafter the youth are exposed to a pitching process of their business plans for assessment before a panel of industry experts. Here they are able to receive constructive feedback on their go-to-market plans.
Awards were announced at this year’s graduation for top achievers from each participating province who had performed exceptionally while on the YEP programme over the last year as well as for the top business presentations. In an all-female showing, Fundiswa Magwaza from KwaZulu-Natal, Saadiqah Omardien from the Western Cape, and Gauteng-based Innocentia Seloane were announced as YEP Top Achievers for the 2022/23 period. The Top Three business presentation winners were, Nonhlanhla Sola from Gauteng taking first place, and Divine Thibela and Winny Masangu both from Mpumalanga, who took second and third place respectively.
“In a world that is currently experiencing so much instability, our youth have been unapologetic and unafraid in their fight, speaking up for their beliefs and ideas, and demanding greater recognition and representation at the decision making table where their futures are at stake. Through the YEP programme, the Innovator Trust celebrates their innovative thinking, and aim to hone their ability to build something out of nothing. We believe in the youth of South Africa and will continue to provide the support needed to thrive,” commented Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust.
