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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

Free State Arts Festival and the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French (UFS) launches first crossword tournament in SA

2016-06-14

History will be made at the Free State Arts Festival, which will this year be held in Bloemfontein from 11 to 16 July. For the first time ever in South Africa, a Crossword Tournament will be presented for the public, where Afrikaans word and language lovers can test their knowledge and speed against other competitors.

With the help of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, as well as Xword, the RSG Crossword Tournament will be presented on the university’s campus. In several knockout rounds on Friday 15 July, contestants will have to complete three different types of crosswords compiled by the experienced crossword team at XWord. Points will be awarded according to a formula measuring accuracy and speed. The top ten contestants will go through to a semi-final on Saturday 16 July, after which three finalists will be selected to compete against each other in the Grand Finale.

Apart from the coveted title, DIE RSG BLOKRAAIKAMPIOEN, prizes which are up for grabs include a year’s access to the news platforms of Netwerk24 for all three finalists, a variety of dictionaries from Pharos and Longman-HAT, a wide range of crossword books published by LAPA, and many more.

Interested persons can find more information about the RSG Crossword Tournament at www.xword.co.za. Links are also provided to free crosswords which can be printed to practice ahead of the tournament. Interested people are requested to send their names, cellphone numbers, and Email addresses to Albe Grobbelaar at XWord in advance in order to facilitate the planning for the expected number of participants. The address is albegrobbelaar@gmail.com

The cost for participants is R50, which is payable on the day of the elimination rounds at the venue on campus, South Block 1. The entrance fee includes a copy of XWord’s popular book, AfriBlokkies Blokkiesraaisels.

(Further inquiries: Albe Grobbelaar – 082 447 1900)

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