ENTREPENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT – Cindy Koen
Sitting in the room with 18 young upcoming entrepreneurs is one of the most profound moments in one’s life. It is amazing to see their faces light up as they explain their business ideas to you. The passion oozes from them and you feel yourself getting excited about being part of their journey.
The Thuma Mina Initiative is a partnership between the K2C BR, Hoedspruit Chamber of Commerce, Mopani District Municipality and the Maruleng Municipality. We have identified 23 youth entrepreneurs that passed a series of tests to be part of our semi-final group that will be undergoing Business Entrepreneurship training through the SEED Training program facilitated by Mr Rest Kanju.
From here on the entrepreneurs will still need to go through one final test; the “lion’s” den. They will have to pitch their business idea to a panel of mentors and business leaders to win 1 of 10 mentoring opportunities with a mentor in their line of business.
Some of these entrepreneurs have already started to put their business ideas into play and will be looking at growing their businesses. For instance, Vusi Malatji has already started his small IT company and internet café. He is looking at expanding and reaching more people. Then we have Kenny Mathebula who is looking at taking over his father’s piggery. He plans on tuning it into a profit earning business that will ensure a better future for his family. A few more ideas are recording studios, crop farmers, fashion designers and furniture manufacturers.
In conclusion, all we can say is watch this space! There is a group of entrepreneurs that will be changing ways and setting examples of great initiatives that can be born from just believing in one’s self.
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