Bongani Maseko from Fernie Furniture Makers.
Young people in Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality were encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship and take advantage of available government support programmes during the Youth Employment Dialogue held in Mpuluzi on June 24.
The event brought together government officials, aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners to share information and opportunities aimed at empowering young people economically.
Representing the Local Economic Development (LED) Unit of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, MP Sithole delivered a presentation focusing on co-operatives, small businesses and the Spaza Shop Programme.
The presentation highlighted the importance of establishing compliant co-operatives and local businesses to enable young entrepreneurs to access government funding opportunities, training programmes and other forms of support.
Sithole emphasised that entrepreneurship remains one of the key drivers of economic growth and job creation, particularly among young people.
Through information sharing and collaboration, participants were equipped with knowledge on how to start, register and sustain successful businesses while taking advantage of available government initiatives.
The dialogue also featured inspiring testimonies from local entrepreneurs who shared their journeys of building successful businesses despite various challenges.
Mandlenkosi Nkosi spoke about how he established and grew his Catering and Decor business, highlighting the importance of perseverance, hard work and dedication.
He encouraged young people to believe in their ideas and take the first step towards becoming entrepreneurs.
Bongani Maseko of Fernie Furniture Makers also shared the story of how the business started and developed into a sustainable enterprise.
He urged young people to make use of the support structures and funding opportunities provided by government institutions and development agencies.
The entrepreneurs encouraged attendees to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path capable of creating employment opportunities for themselves and others within their communities.
Their stories demonstrated that with determination, commitment and access to the right support, young people can build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to local economic development and job creation.
The Youth Employment Dialogue forms part of ongoing efforts by the municipality and its partners to address youth unemployment by providing information, skills and opportunities that enable young people to participate actively in the economy.
