Youths head for A-list
If you were wondering who might be the next generation of business A-listers, chances are you’d have found them at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards this week. These awards, also known as Step Up 2 a Start Up, are the culmination of a five-month entrepreneurship development programme and the ceremony was held at the Southern Sun Pretoria on Tuesday night.
Walking into the foyer of the hotel, the first person I meet is Martin Sweet, MD of Primestars, the Primedia company which runs the programme.
Martin is one of those earnest types quick to introduce me to a few stakeholders before whizzing around to make sure things are all on track. He doesn’t need a loudhailer to later call us into the venue when the proceedings are about to start.
Handed a gin and tonic (is this the cocktail of choice at events these days?), I walk around the venue where the nine finalists who have come up with the most innovative social and environmental business models are lined up to tell us more about their ideas.
With prizes including cash, gadgets and bursaries from business school Regenesys at stake, these budding entrepreneurs take to their pitches with gusto.
I am particularly impressed with the eloquence of Sinesipho Molo of Pretoria’s Leap Maths and Science school, who oozes confidence as she tells me about the app linking farmers with potential customers which she and fellow Grade 10 pupil Shanelle Makobe came up with.
Then it’s into the conference area where we are served smoked salmon trout terrine on lettuce and tomato (a dish as dated as the hotel’s decor) before things get started.
While I am seated at the back of the room, the main table has that pollie whose presidential ambitions are seemingly crushed, Jeff Radebe, seated next to Lindiwe Zulu, the minister for small business wearing trendy Vanessa Gounden black with a floral coat.
MC for the evening is that entrepreneurial DJ, Sbu Leope, who has to contend with poor audio feedback as he welcomes everyone — and the sound problem continues as singer Khanyo Maphumulo entertains us.
You’ll want to know about the winners, and first prize goes to Fisokuhle Lushaba and Wendy Nkosi, 16-year-old Grade 11 pupils from Soweto who have also come up with an app.
Theirs is a comparative one which allows pupils to find out more about universities, sponsorships, tuition and majors. I loved runner-ups Destinee Frost and Sumaiya Lagardien’s idea of repurposing tyres into roof tiles for low-cost houses.
Third prize went to Given Mofomme and Shaun Ngobeni from Mamelodi, who have started a business which uses a fleet of specially designed bicycles to collect recyclable waste in their community.
DJ Sbu was also acknowledged for his support to youth development with the Primestars Trailblazer award.
And as for the rest of my meal? Our chicken supreme main, stuffed with sun-dried tomato and feta cheese with roast veg and mash, was moreish, but here’s hoping the school kids were not served the Amarula-flavoured mousse that, along with mini koeksisters, malva pudding and milk tartlets, formed part of the “Taste of Africa” dessert platter.
Here’s hoping the school kids were not served the Amarula flavoured mousse