ENTERPRISE ILEMBE EMPOWERS YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS AT LET'S TALK YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP SESSION
Enterprise iLembe, the economic development agency for the iLembe District, successfully hosted the Let's Talk Youth Entrepreneurship session on 23 June 2023. The event aimed to foster an open and structured dialogue with young entrepreneurs, focusing on entrepreneurship opportunities with high job creation potential within the district and beyond.
The session witnessed a remarkable turnout of youth representing the four local municipalities. The distinguished presence of the Honourable Mayor of iLembe District Municipality, Cllr TP Shandu, and other representatives from the public and private sector added prestige to the event. The government representatives provided insights on available opportunities and programs within their respective departments, reinforcing the collaborative effort between Enterprise iLembe, businesses, communities, and government to drive economic development and ensure inclusive growth in the iLembe District.
The session witnessed a remarkable turnout of youth representing the four local municipalities. The distinguished presence of the Honourable Mayor of iLembe District Municipality, Cllr TP Shandu, and other representatives from the public and private sector added prestige to the event. The government representatives provided insights on available opportunities and programs within their respective departments, reinforcing the collaborative effort between Enterprise iLembe, businesses, communities, and government to drive economic development and ensure inclusive growth in the iLembe District.
A highlight of the session was a robust panel discussion centred around the theme of "thinking outside the box." Topics such as the green economy, digital marketing, and business innovation took centre stage. Youth attendees were encouraged to realign their thinking and embrace the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The importance of digital transformation, fostering ideation, and accessing various funding opportunities within government sectors were emphasised.
As part of the event, a graduation ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the iLembe ICT Project, a 12-month ICT training program. Led by the Vuthela iLembe LED Programme, the training aimed to create Apptrepreneurs within the iLembe District. The ceremony recognised the achievements of 27 youth who successfully completed the program and showcased their newfound skills in the field of information and communication technology.
Furthermore, Enterprise iLembe utilized the platform to distribute business support grants to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) from the iLembe Business Incubator. These grants will provide crucial support and resources to empower the growth and success of these local businesses.