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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

Three OSM students selected for the 2013 World Youth Symphony Orchestra

2013-01-25

Carmi Nel	Elsabe Raath
Maja van Dyk

25 January 2013

Three students from the University of the Free State’s Odeion School of Music (OSM) have proved their mettle. Carmi Viljoen (violin), Elsabé Raath (viola) and Maja van Dyk (viola), have been accepted into the prestigious World Youth Orchestra – an orchestra known worldwide for its quality and the prix de corps itadvances between nations.

Musica Europa, an Italian cultural association, founded the World Youth Orchestra (WYO) in its present guise in 2001. It has close ties with UNICEF and its mission is to combine music with social activities from cultures all over to world in order to enrich the cultural life of all.

Rigorous auditions are held which require applicants to upload video recordings onto a website (Vimeo). An international board of adjudicators subsequently listens to these recordings and select the best.The three OSM students were good enough to make the grade.

These three musicians are also members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the MIAGI orchestra that toured Europe successfully last year. They are also outstanding chamber musicians. Carmi and Elsabé, as members of the Junior Odeion String Quartet, have shown that they are on par with international standards and have toured The Netherlands. In 2012, Maja van Dyk had been selected to perform as soloist with the National Youth String Orchestra under the baton of Swedish conductor and violinist, Fredrik Burstedt.

They first heard of the possibility of playing for the WYO through Anmari van der Westhuizen, lecturer at the OSM. Margarite Spies from the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) had contacted her in search of worthy candidates. A scant three weeks later, they received the good news of their inclusion.

The orchestra, with representatives from five continents, will be touring South Africa this year and no less than nine South Africans have been included. The tour kicks off in Durban, followed by performances in East London, Plettenberg Bay, George, Knysna, Stellenbosch, with a grand finale in the Cape Town City Hall.

Works that will be performed include ‘’Romeo and Juliet’’ by Prokofiev, the irrepressible “Carnival Overture” by Dvorák, Barber’s ‘’Adagio for Strings’’ and part of Mahler’s majestic Fifth Symphony, all under the baton of the dynamic Josep Vicent.

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