Market day to test trade arts
Economics pupils get to strut their entrepreneur skills UK agency’s career expo helps rural pupils
AFTER weeks of learning about business plans, marketing and costing in economic management sciences class, pupils from Mzoxolo Senior Secondary School in Mdantsane had a chance to practice what they had learnt.
This was when their school hosted its annual Grade 7 market day.
Teacher Nomathamsanqa Nkosimbini said the day was part of the Grade 7 third term project, which taught pupils valuable entrepreneurial skills and fed their creativity.
The 161 pupils, divided into seven groups of 23, brainstormed ideas on what to sell, conducted market surveys among other pupils, and designed logos and posters.
There was much excitement on the day as the pupils descended on the sports field to prepare their stalls.
While parents dropped off lastminute supplies, others put up decor and signage for their stalls.
Many groups dressed up in multicoloured outfits according to the theme of their stall.
The pupils were given an hour of trading and were joined by the rest of school during break to buy some of the goodies on sale.
On sale were cupcakes, cooldrinks, milkshakes, popcorn, hot dogs, sweets and fatcakes, with one group even selling stuffed gizzard kebabs braaied on site. Other groups sold non-food items such as anklets, hair ties, lip balm, key rings, notepads and succulent plants.
Nkosimbini said the market day was a great success as the pupils had learnt a great deal and had a lot of fun in the process.
“It is also important to have such events not only because they are part of the curriculum but also to help equip pupils with basic entrepreneurial skills. Some pupils came from really poor backgrounds and this will allow them to go home and implement what they have learnt with their families,” she said.
Pupils shared all the money and profit made at the market day among their groups. HUNDREDS of pupils from various schools in the O R Tambo district attended a career expo aimed at providing them with career options and resources they can use to pursue their tertiary education.
The expo, held at Somagunya Senior Secondary School in Tsolo, was hosted by Restless Development, a youth-led UK-based agency which aims to ensure young people have a voice, a living and sexual rights, as well as being leaders in preventing and solving the world’s challenges.
The agency operates in 10 countries across Africa, Asia, the UK and USA, with a wider network of partners across the world.
The expo targeted both in and out of school youth, focusing especially on Grades 9 to 12.
Participating schools included Tsolo High, Dilizintaba Senior Secondary and Bele-Zingcuka Technical College.
The event was attended by representatives from the department of education, SAPS, Mthatha Arts Centre, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and Love Life.
During the event, young people heard from motivational speakers and had access to information about the application process for universities, while receiving important information on bursaries and other financial aid available.
Also in attendance and motivating the pupils was Ludwekazi Ndlazi, who is a finalist on the SABC1-TV programme One Day leader.
The agency’s Ewa Lelontko said every young person had great potential and should be encouraged to turn their ambition into reality, and not feel limited by a lack of material resources or information.
She said the agency did extensive work in the Eastern Cape and found that young people living in the Tsolo rural area struggled to access information about university applications and financial aid.
“Since the rate of unemployment is extremely high among young graduates, it’s crucial to especially support those coming from the rural areas where the access to information and resources is significantly lower than in bigger cities.
“People with knowledge and experience are needed to empower young adults and ensure they choose career paths that will guarantee them work opportunities,” she said. —