How does one uplift a community?
According to experts the key to uplift a community is employment. Statistics show South Africa suffers from a shocking 60% youth unemployment rate and a 40% overall unemployment rate.
“Adult skills training and career development programmes help youth find and retain employment, but this is not a solution for everyone,” said an expert. “The South African informal business sector or the ‘Kasi economy’ is a significant part of the economy with 18,5% of all employed workers finding employment in the informal sector. Small businesses are one of the key ways to drive employment and uplift communities.”
Grootbos Foundation runs an entrepreneurship mentorship programme to help small business owners build viable and sustainable small businesses which can become employment opportunities for more people in their communities.
According to the spokesperson of Grootbos Foundation mentorship focusses on financial training which is the most fundamental aspect of successful business management.
“Key mentorship messages cover the importance of establishing two bank accounts (one for business spending and earning, and one for personal spending), the value of reinvesting in their business and how to avoid personal spending from the business account,” the spokesperson stated.
The Grootbos Foundation’s Enterprise Development programme has selected the business owners who will take part in the entrepreneurship mentorship programme this year.
“Altogether 14 keen young entrepreneurs have been selected for their businesses,” the spokesperson concluded, “which range from beauty salon services and hairdressers to invasive plant clearing, auto mechanic services and carpentry. We are excited to work with this diverse array of business owners who are poised to take on new challenges in the informal sector.”
