Siyamthanda Khumalo is a junior marketing and communications strategist.
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South Africa's official unemployment rate improved in the third quarter of this year. However, it remains high at 31.9% as a result of the weak economic performance weighing on job creation.
The largest job increases were recorded in the construction industry, followed by community and social services, as well as trade. This means there is still a need for more jobs to be created, particularly for the youth. The youth need to be empowered with skills and resources for them to start their own businesses that will help increase employment.
Next week, it's Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from November 17 to 23, where different countries will be showcasing+ innovators and startups through a variety of activities, including conferences, pitch events, and networking opportunities held in over 100 countries, impacting over 10 million people per year.
It's through such initiatives that the youth and young entrepreneurs get inspired to come up with innovative ideas that have a potential to shape the future of entrepreneurship and create jobs.
It’s for this reason that I was impressed when I heard that the Tshwane University of Technology’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) will be hosting the Startup Fest South Africa which will feature more than 400 Work Integrated Learning students who will showcase their innovative projects, highlighting how education and entrepreneurship intersect to drive national development.
Startup Fest South Africa is an important platform that brings together students, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to share ideas, network, and learn from each other. In South Africa, where unemployment and economic challenges are significant ssues, events like Startup Fest help create hope and real opportunities for young people who want to build their own businesses.
Through talks, exhibitions, and panel discussions, the festival gives entrepreneurs a chance to gain knowledge, connect with mentors, and find possible partners or investors. These platforms encourage creativity, build confidence, and help small business owners turn their ideas into successful projects.
For students, Startup Fest is a rare opportunity to meet mentors and business leaders face-to-face, people who might otherwise feel out of reach and to learn directly from their experiences. Students can showcase their ideas, build confidence, and discover how other startups navigate challenges and successes.
SOUTH Africa's official unemployment rate improved slightly in the third quarter of this year. However, at 31.9%, it remains high, due to weak economic performance. The youth continue to be the most affected segment of the population. With empowerment, skills, and resources to start their own business, young people can help increase job opportunities, argues the writer.
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The Power of Direct Access and Open Doors
From my perspective, these platforms are very important for students and young entrepreneurs because opportunities like this simply don't come around every day. This is one of a few places where you can genuinely approach the major industry figures you usually only see on media platforms. Crucially, they drop their guard here; they are genuinely present to connect with you and talk.
If you were to send an email to that person, they probably wouldn't reply. But at the event, you get the unique chance to walk up and say, "Hey, I'm doing this, and I need your help with this specific challenge." They are open to speaking back and even offering immediate advice. This makes Startup Fest an immense and direct opportunity for small businesses looking to grow.
Solving Challenges, Fueling Job Growth
Platforms like this are critical because they help young businesses owners overcome the complex challenges that prevent them from growing and creating jobs. If you already have a small business, you realize quickly that scaling is hard. You face roadblocks with funding, technology, or strategy.
Startup Fest directly helps you with these challenges. You get there and see what other entrepreneurs are doing and the businesses they are running. You connect with innovators and business leaders specifically to tackle the problems in your business. This focused support is essential. You realize: "Oh my gosh, the idea that I had about a certain business, I could probably get help from these people to bring it to life and grow."
When a young business overcomes a major challenge, it moves out of survival mode and into growth mode. This growth is what fuels new hiring. Every young entrepreneur who solves a challenge at this event can sustain the jobs they already created and, more importantly, quickly add new employees as they scale up. This focused problem-solving is vital for our economy. Also, just attending helps you open your mind to a wider view of what’s possible.
Ultimately, platforms like Startup Fest South Africa and GWE are more than just events; they are catalysts for growth, innovation, and opportunity. They help bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement, creating pathways for South Africa’s next generation of changemakers to imagine and shape a brighter, more inclusive economic future.
(Khumalo is a junior marketing and communications strategist. Her views don't necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune or Independent Media or IOL)
SUNDAY TRIBUNE