By Amahle Cele
The Eastcape Midlands TVET College campus in Makana convened a productive, successful business breakfast at the Amazwi Literature Museum on Thursday, bringing together stakeholders and experts to explore opportunities for economic growth and youth development in the Makana Municipal area.
The event aimed to foster collaboration and innovation among local businesses, entrepreneurs and education institutions. Attendees included prominent business leaders, TVET College representatives such as Charl van Herdeen, principal Zakithi Dlamini, deputy principal of academic services, Lindithemba Sdeba, director of Partnerships and Linkages and Babalwa Nkwentsha, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development’s director of Youth Development. Enthusiastic young entrepreneurs were also present, giving them an opportunity to showcase their business proposal presentations.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome by Aphiwe Tafeni, the programme director, followed by Sdeba’s opening remarks in which he spoke about Eastcape Midlands TVET College being dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in its students and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. “We work because we are fueled by human impact,” Sdeba said. He highlighted the college’s commitment to equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the business world.
Van Heerden, meanwhile, emphasized that the college aims to provide partnerships, workplace-based experience, linkages, employability and work integrated learning for the college and the community. He spoke about the college aiming to mobilize resources, setting up progress and processes to enhance the role of development agencies.
Panel discussions and presentations ensued, conducted by Nkwentsha and featuring experts sharing insights on entrepreneurship, innovation and capacity building. The goal of the discussion was to spark ideas on how interested parties might work together to assist the Makana Municipality area’s economic flourish.
Government and municipal representatives were part of the panel, including Nontsikelelo Katshaza, who spoke about the Women Entrepreneurial Awards where they encourage young women to have small businesses in agriculture.
Noluvuyo Mangweni, from Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in the Sarah Baartman District, spoke about how their stakeholders are given platforms to communicate their mandate and programmes to assist future entrepreneurs.
The second panel’s discussion focused on businesses whereby each representative had to elaborate on their programmes and businesses of Makana, their successes and the challenges they faced. On the panel were Yandisa Jubase from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), charged with the responsibility to facilitate youth development and mainstream youth development in society, and Thokozile Nqangele from Old Mutual, who is a learning facilitator for financial education for the Eastern Cape. Nqangele spoke about the Masisizane Fund, which supports SMMEs in starting and expanding their enterprises, which will ultimately lower unemployment, inequality and poverty.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of business proposals from EMC and Rhodes University students, which aimed to support youth entrepreneurship and development in the region.
The winning business proposal belonged to a young Rhodes student.
The business breakfast set the stage for meaningful collaborations and a positive impact in the region, according to those present.
