eThekwini Municipality has set up a Youth Development Office in order to facilitate youth involvement in entrepreneurship, among other youth development initiatives, and is proud to host the first ever Youth in Business Summit which will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre today and tomorrow.
The municipality is responsible for, advocating, lobbying and facilitating an enabling environment to ensure that young people have access to employment and business opportunities.
The two-day summit will include an exhibition component where the youth will be given an opportunity to showcase and market their businesses as well as gain knowledge and the relevant exposure that will help them improve the way they do business.
During the summit, young people will be addressed by various sector specialists, policy experts, government leaders and officials who will share knowledge and discuss solutions to the challenges facing young entrepreneurs.
The event will focus primarily on entrepreneurial development, with emphasis on creating an environment conducive for the start-up and development of micro and medium business ventures as key drivers for economic growth and job creation.
Mayor James Nxumalo said the main objective behind establishing the Youth Development Office as part of the Mayoral programme is to ensure that young people are fully integrated into the mainstream economy and not be perpetually dependent on the state.
“The summit is one of the municipality’s key programmes hosted this month, as we celebrate Youth Month. We want to engage with young people on issues related to entrepreneurship and skills development so that they can have the skills and confidence to take up leadership positions in business, politics or civic life,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo urges the youth to take advantage of such opportunities by attending this event and networking with successful entrepreneurs so that they can gain more insight in order for them to become future business leaders.
Gugu Mbonambi
