The first thing that those taking part in the first Socionext Entrepreneurship Course got was a challenge – start a business in five days.
The first thing that those taking part in the first Socionext Entrepreneurship Course got was a challenge – start a business in five days.
27 unemployed young people from Grahamstown and surrounds took part in the course which was hosted by the Assumption Development Centre (ADC) in Joza.
Participants were divided into groups and five businesses – Ixhanti Newspaper, Qhakazani Deep Cleaning, Raw Organic Honey, Ikasi Marketing and Surplus Food Resale Business – were formed.
The business ideas were generated on the first day of the week. By day five the businesses were up and running. Some of them will be operating at the ADC until the owners find more suitable premises.
The Socionext programme started in Amsterdam and is the brainchild of South African born, Tjaart Theron. “We decided to bring the programme to South Africa because we wanted to contribute to the development of the country,” he says.
He said that the programme introduces participants to the basic elements of business as well as to new methods of doing business. He stresses the importance of the course as he believes that, “Entrepreneurship is one of the key solutions to unemployment in South Africa.”
Facilitated by Theron and Iqbal Thokan of MIT Business Solutions, the focus of the programme, says Theron, is sustainable business. “The idea is to make a difference to see if we can help the micro economy by creating small businesses that are able to grow and sustain themselves and further create employment opportunities for others.”
Malibongwe Nkwinti of Ikasi Marketing said that he was glad to be part of the programme. “The experience was great. It's more practical here. We come up with ideas and by the end of the week we are entrepreneurs.”
Ayanda Jilana of Raw Organic Honey was grateful to the facilitators for their contribution. “I would like to thank Iqbal and Tjaart. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the training we received during the week.”
The programme is sponsored by the South African Breweries Group (SAB) and they will continue to support the programme at the ADC. The second class started their training last week.
