Dialogue serves as think-tank for youth
Mdantsane-based Dream Alive Youth Foundation hosted international non-profit organisation Enactus at a dialogue discussing issues affecting women and young people at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) last Saturday under the theme, “Women Continue to Win”.
The dialogue tackled issues such as mental wellness, health awareness, spiritual growth and entrepreneurship empowerment.
“Enactus brings together students, academics and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living of people in need,” said Enactus member Phumelela Ntubeni.
“As Enactus, we empower young people in bettering their lives by starting their own businesses and becoming entrepreneurs. We outlined a point where young people’s businesses are not succeeding due to the following factors: lack of knowledge on how to start and run a business, funds to to start the business, nepotism, and a lack of confidence.”
Dream Alive Youth Foundation deputy chair Kamvelihle Kalani said the foundation spoke on three topics, namely entrepreneurial empowerment, wellness and health, as well as spiritual growth.
“Young people were sharing ideas on how women and their peers can sustain their businesses in order to win in life. We also talked on how to take care of our bodies and how to take care of ourselves as girls. We touched on sexual intercourse and protection and everything that has to do with health matters affecting young women.
“A lot of young people go through so much in life and at times they become overwhelmed to the extent that it affects their academics and relationships,” she said
Kalani concluded by saying there was a very high level of unemployment in SA – to the point where even graduates were jobless, which was why campaigns like #HireAGraduate were created.
“Unemployment is the main issue that affects the youth. Some have ideas of starting their own businesses, but lack capital. There were quite a couple of suggested solutions with regards to what was being discussed. It really showed that young people have a lot to say about things affecting them.”