Image credit: Allan Gray Makers/Shen Scott
The opening day of the recent Makers Fest 2024 was marked by a display of innovation and entrepreneurship at the National Entrepreneurship Inter-College Finals. Young entrepreneurs from TVET institutions nationwide took the stage to pitch their groundbreaking business ideas, offering a glimpse into the future of South Africa’s artisan trades and industries. The importance of these trade skills was underscored by the revelation that 75% of jobs in the future green economy will be held by artisans with trade skills.
36 Talented finalists, leveraging the skills and knowledge honed through their Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education vied for the Awards, with Winners receiving R50 000 and Runners-Up R30 000 each to kick-start their entrepreneurial journeys.
The Awards were presented to visionary business concepts across four competitive categories:
Category: I Have a Business Idea
Winner: Cyril Masivhenge, Nkangala TVET College
Runner-Up: Melusi Nzama, Majuba TVET College
Category: I Have an Artisanal Business
Winner: Khwezi Agyapong, Majuba TVET College
Runner-Up: Wilmore Choto, College of Cape Town
Category: I Have a Tech Business
Winner: Mohau Tau, Motheo TVET College
Runner-Up: Lungisa Sibonza, Enhlanzeni TVET College
Category: I Have a General Business
Winner: Liza Basegi, Ekurhuleni West TVET College
Runner-Up: Rashaad Sambaba, Falsebay TVET College
Seth Mulli, Programme Director for Allan Gray Makers highlighted the immense opportunities for the technical and vocational trades industry – a sector that is often overlooked – but one which Allan Gray Makers sees as the ‘Sleeping Giant’ of South Africa’s economy, with the capacity to create employment and income-earning opportunities for young people.
Mulli also offered sage and encouraging advice to the Winners, Runners-Up and Finalists, urging them to continue on their entrepreneurial journey: “It is important to recognise the technical talent, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that resides within the artisan trades sector, which is why the celebration of these future thinkers and entrepreneurs at events like Makers Fest is important; together our collective effort can create collective impact.”
