VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy is proud to announce the success of its third annual Young Entrepreneur Day, a heart-warming and inspiring event that empowers 13-year-old children from the Langa Community to become active participants in shaping their futures.
This year’s event, guided by the dedicated leadership of Lebohang Mokoena, has once again showcased the incredible potential of our young participants.
The VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy is a holistic after-school programme that provides both sports and education for primary school children. Through this initiative, primary school children from Langa gain invaluable life skills that help them navigate a world of opportunities beyond the rugby field.
VUSA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Nikki Matthews shared her thoughts on the event: “This Young Entrepreneur Day is an incredible learning experience that empowers our children to see themselves as active participants in shaping their future. In a country with such a high unemployment rate, it’s incredible for the children to realise that they can create their future. The support we receive from our corporate partners like Shoprite and Capitec is invaluable, as it provides our children with real-world opportunities that may one day become life-changing.”
The programme, which seamlessly integrates life skills, financial literacy, marketing and communication, gives children the confidence to interact with people from different races, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. It’s about ‘awakening opportunities’ and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that will serve them well in all areas of life.
Jean Rossouw, Head of CSI and Financial Education at Capitec, expressed the bank’s enthusiasm for the initiative and said: “We are thrilled to be part of VUSA’s journey, providing financial and marketing expertise to help these young entrepreneurs succeed. Seeing their progress and enthusiasm is incredibly rewarding. It is a privilege to partner with an organisation whose aim is to empower young minds to reach their full potential.”
The support from Shoprite has also been crucial.
Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer for the Shoprite Group, said: “VUSA’s programmes provide a holistic approach to learning and development, ensuring that children can realise their full potential. We are excited to be part of a programme that encourages creativity, self-sufficiency, and entrepreneurial spirit in young children, and further supports these young entrepreneurs in bringing their business ideas to life. This is one of many ways in which Shoprite helps to uplift lives in the communities in which we operate.”
One of the many success stories from VUSA’s Young Entrepreneur Day is that of a young girl who participated in the 2021 event.
After making a profit at Market Day, she used her earnings to purchase doughnuts, which she then sold at school, doubling her money. Her entrepreneurial spirit was so ignited that despite having graduated from the programme, she eagerly asked to participate again last year simply because she loved the experience so much. She is also certain that when she grows up she will start her own business.
The programme is more than just a day of selling products. It’s about equipping children with the skills and confidence to navigate the world. By incorporating financial literacy, communication, marketing and life skills, VUSA’s Young Entrepreneur Day gives the children a sense of agency and the belief that they can create opportunities for themselves and others.
.
