Finalists in Primestars’ Step Up 2 A Green Start Up National Youth Green Entrepreneurship programme participated in a business boot camp. The finalists comprising 27 learners and nine teachers from various provinces arrived at Protea Wanderers, Illovo for a five-day boot camp which began on October 3.
Primestars Project manager, Lizanè Botha explained that the Step Up 2 A Start Up programme was now in its eighth year. “The programme equips youth from under-resourced communities across South Africa to contribute to job creation in the green economy. This is a critical national intervention, addressing both issues of climate change and unemployment,” said Botha.
Managing director of Primestars, Martin Sweet said, “South African youth must take advantage of the many opportunities that the green economy provides. To reduce our high unemployment rate, they will need to learn the skills and develop the competencies that will enable them to create businesses and become gainful employers in a circular, restorative, inclusive and clean economy.”
On the first day of the boot camp, Shine Solutions owner, Anthony Rosmarin broke the ice by illustrating the need for each other’s support through a rope exercise. He said, “We all need each other’s support whether we are in the same team or not. We are all working towards a bigger picture. Play your role in supporting each other.”
Entrepreneur and founder of Lifesgud Global Investment, Selebogo Molefe taught the participants about the business model canvas. The model showed that in pursuit of a business, one should look at what problem they needed to solve and who they would be solving it for. “Start by solving problems for specific groups in your community. This will help you know which resources you need to use and the costs thereof. Consider practical ways to execute ideas,” explained Molefe.
On day four of the boot camp, teams pitched their business solutions during a Dragon’s Den style pitch where they sold their concept to a group of judges. The winning team was announced at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards on October 7.
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