Seven young entrepreneurs have been granted the chance to unlock their full potential and to have their skills honed at the Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator.
They are participating in the 36-month incubation programme, which started this month.
Larona Tsikwe, acting manager at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator, said candidates had been chosen because they met the relevant criteria for placement in the programme, which is aimed at mentoring entrepreneurs and optimising their existing small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The Motheo TVET College launched the centre in 2017.
The sustainable operation thereof is supported by the Department of Small Business Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Aged between 18 and 35 years, the participants in the programme have existing businesses. Among the candidates who were selected are: Wilson Phakoe, Broadwin Melouley, Lebohang Danie and Kagisho Meleme. Phakoe manufactures trailers; Melouley produces and supplies pet food; Danie is a clinical technician and mechanic; and Meleme runs a facility management company.
The seven participants underwent induction in December.
Tsikwe said the centre provided operational space, essential tools such as a telephone network and a printer.
He also confirmed that the incubation programme focused on improving managerial skills and finance management, as well as marketing.
The incubation programme has its sights set on young South Africans with the chief objective of curbing the youth unemployment crisis in the country.
The premise is that becoming sustainable and profitable enhances the participants’ prospects of creating employment opportunities for other citizens.
