UGU District Municipality paved a way for economic transformation for youth-owned businesses enabling them to participate in the district’s mainstream economy following resource support to eight businesses at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre last Wednesday.
The businesses were beneficiaries of a sponsorship of over R200 000 under the municipality’s small business programme unveiled during the first Ugu Youth Business Indaba aimed at prioritising youth development in business.
The indaba brought together like-minded business people in established businesses and youth that aspire to be great business people who discussed the three key pillars identified by the youth - economic transformation, arts and culture and education, training and skills development, which will in future address the challenges the youth faces.
Deliberations were also guided by the theme “Together changing the economic conditions of our youth”.
The deputy mayor of Ugu District Municipality, Cllr Mondli Chiliza said the youth need to play an active role in the transformation of our economy as they are the future leaders.
The outcome of this gathering should drive us in accelerating a youth-inclusive economy in the district as currently access to economic opportunities for the youth in the district remain limited.
Chiliza said the vision as the municipality is to increase the participation and partnership with the business sector.
As the district municipality, we have set aside a significant portion of the budget for youth empowerment programmes and are committed to actively contributing towards the development of our youth in the district.
The municipality officially handed over working material to each business, which include grass-cutting machines, sewing machines, a camera, pole tents, laptops, ice-making machines and butchery fridges.
