​Today, the City of Cape Town’s Youth Development Programme, together with the Economic Development Department and False Bay College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, hosted a youth entrepreneurship business support workshop. The workshop is a follow-up with the youth entrepreneurs who entered the #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge but did not make the shortlist. 

The competition, which started in March, encouraged young people to pitch their business ideas for a chance to participate in the challenge. The response to the competition was overwhelming and the would-be entrepreneurs were put through their paces by the Seed Academy to hone their business development skills. Although the winners have been announced, the City pledged its commitment to continue providing support and guidance to the would-be entrepreneurs to help them to grow their businesses. 

The first step in creating this platform was the establishment of partnerships with the City’s Economic Development Department and False Bay College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship.​
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‘As a City, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce the unemployment rate and create jobs. Through this challenge we found that there are many young people with great ideas, however they lacked the necessary skills to develop their ideas into a viable businesses. Instead of leaving them to their own devices, we have partnered with various organisations and departments to ensure that these youth get a chance to broaden their knowledge and turn those ideas into successful businesses. We want to encourage all would-be entrepreneurs to capitalise on this opportunity and use these skills to create jobs for their communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Social Development and Early Childhood Development, Councillor Suzette Little.

Youth participating in the support programme are from all over the city, including the following areas: Blouberg, Bonteheuwel, Delft, Elsies River, Fisantekraal, Goodwood, Gugulethu, Hout Bay, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Kuils River, Langa, Lotus River, Maitland, Milnerton, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Strandfontein, Belhar and Wynberg.​

As part of the training False Bay College assisted youth entrepreneurs to build their own business model. An easy model for pitching their business idea was also shared during the session.

‘By hosting these workshops we are creating employment opportunities which will allow youth to kick-start their own businesses and pitch their ideas to potential business owners. These opportunities will allow youth to reach their potential and shape their own career paths. It will also help to address the chronic issue of youth unemployment and create various business opportunities,’ added Councillor Little.

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Note to editors: the names of the individuals in the above photographs are available on request tomedia@capetown.gov.za​