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UFS Business School helps young people become entrepreneurs

12 December 2022 | Story Kekeletso Takang | Photo Supplied

web read more — Through the New Venture Creation Programme, the UFS Business School aims to equip unemployed youth with the skills needed to identify and assess entrepreneurial opportunities, design a basic business model, and write a business plan.

The University of the Free State Business School (UFSBS) recently hosted a New Venture Creation programme aimed at mitigating unemployment among the youth. Through this programme, the UFSBS aims to equip unemployed youth with the skills needed to identify and assess entrepreneurial opportunities, design a basic business model, and write a business plan.

The unemployment rate in South Africa was 33,9% in the second quarter of 2022, with youth remaining particularly vulnerable in the labour market. The New Venture Creation programme, funded by the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDPSETA), provides the opportunity for 100 unemployed youth in the Northern Cape and 100 unemployed youth in the North West to be part of the programme.

In addition to the UFSBS, the ETDPSETA has also partnered with the Office of the Premier in the Northern Cape, the Sol Plaatje Municipality, and the Department of Social Development. These partners assisted with the identification and recruitment of participants in order to ensure the right people were included in the programme.

“For me, the programme was informative and practical,” said Paseka Tlali, one of the top achievers taking part in the New Venture Creation programme. “It allowed me to learn about developing a business plan. Since completion, I have registered a business focusing on media consultancy. Through my business I can educate others on the importance of developing a personal brand.”

David Gool, another participant from the Northern Cape, said, “I have now become a social media ambassador working with Herbalife as their brand ambassador, thanks to the programme.”

Participants were taken on a practical journey to identify an idea and turn it into a profitable small business. Not only were they taught about new venture creation, but they were also taken on a journey to understand themselves better. The four-month programme saw participants go from attending classes to presenting their business plans to a panel that was also referred to as “The Circle of Elders”. This panel consisted of the ETDPSETA, the UFSBS, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). They provided each participant with practical feedback and guidance on how to make their planned venture a reality.

The New Venture Creation programme includes the following study units: Entrepreneurship Journey, Marketing Plan, Operations Plan, Business Model, and Business Plan Framework, among others.

Graduation ceremonies were held at the completion of the programme in De Aar and Kimberley, sponsored by Standard Bank.

Read up on more programmes offered by the UFS Business School here

News Archive

Government to benefit from training of interpreters

2009-03-31

Pictured, from the left, are: Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management, UFS), Ms Mokone Nthongoa (HOD: Sport, FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture), Mr Khotso Sesele (MEC: FS Department of Sport, Arts and Culture) and Prof Engela Pretorius (Vice Dean: Faculty of the Humanities, UFS).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Government to benefit from training of interpreters

The fourth phase of a project to train eight conference interpreters and 30 community interpreters to assist government departments at service delivery points in the Free State was launched this week.

The project is part of the Multilingualism Information Development Programme which brings together the Free State provincial government, the Province of Antwerp and the University of Antwerp in Belgium and the University of the Free State (UFS).

Speaking at the launch of the fourth phase of the project, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the Free State, Mr Khotso Sesele, said: “The fact that we have been through the first three stages of this project, and are now launching its fourth phase, is indicative of the magnificent progress that has been made. This is a sign that through partnerships we can achieve more.”

The MIDP IV consists of two pillars, namely a practical and a research component. Its aim is to generate interpreting capacity within the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The focus is on training an interpreting team over three years which can be employed within a governmental context at various service points.

“As we approach the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments, it will be important for our communities to be able to interact with millions of foreign nationals who will be in our country from different world destinations during and beyond these two important soccer events,” said the MEC.

“The focus on interpreter training by this fourth phase of MIDP is thus an important factor in ensuring better communication during and beyond these important soccer spectacles that will take place in our country.”
The focus of the first three phases of the MIDP was on the main official languages of the province. This fourth phase, which started in 2008, will run until 2010 and its focus is on the Xhariep District Municipality.

“The provision of interpreting services and its further extension to district municipalities will provide the necessary interpreting skills to our communities that will enhance better interaction amongst ourselves,” said Mr Sesele.

He said the fact that indigenous languages have been “elevated from their marginalised status to being languages of business and commerce” is an important milestone that must be cherished.

This fourth phase of MIDP will also incorporate sign language as part of its focus on interpreting services.

“In our quest to ensure a multilingual dispensation in our province, we need not neglect to remember people with disabilities,” he said. “This is a matter of principle that does not require debate.”

“We should thus ensure the realisation of the goal of MIDP IV which is to ensure smooth communication interaction within the wider public, including the deaf community.”

“This is a wonderful project,” said Ms Mathabo Monaheng, one of the students in the MIDP. “As a sign language interpreter trainee this project will empower me with the necessary skills to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the deaf community in terms of communication.”

The MIDP is funded by the Province of Antwerp and successfully implemented by the Unit for Language Management at the UFS.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
31 March 2009

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