KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli will lead the Executive Council in hosting a two-day Youth in Business Summit at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday and Friday.
The summit will provide a platform for engagement between the government and the youth.
Ntuli has identified youth unemployment, development and financial backing for youth-owned enterprises as some of the key priorities for the seventh administration.
“About 1 000 young people, representing youth formations and structures from across the province, will converge at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday and Friday 11 and 12 July to engage with the provincial government and municipalities, organised business, funding entities and the private sector,” said the provincial government in a statement on Wednesday.
The government will also outline employment and funding programmes and initiatives available in all the provincial government departments.
“The summit will also review the Youth Development Strategy 2021–2026, sharpen its implementation plan and develop a Youth Economic Strategy for the province.”
Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality said on Tuesday that 20 small and medium-sized youth-owned businesses each received R10 000 in financial aid to grow their businesses through the Youth in Business programme.
The City said the programme was led by the chairperson of the governance and human capital committee, Nkosenhle Madlala.
The aim of the programme was to inject financial aid into the emerging businesses.
Madlala congratulated the recipients of the R10 000 funding.
“Our youth development policy is more than just a directive; it is a promise to nurture the aspirations of young people and to provide them with the tools they need to succeed,” he said.
He said the Mayoral Youth Development Office will continue to aid emerging businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.
“The establishment of a youth fund remains a cornerstone of our youth development policy. This fund is not only a financial reservoir, but a beacon of our unwavering support and belief in your potential. It helps us set the agenda for the coming year, ensuring that we continue to align our efforts with your evolving needs and aspirations,”said Madlala.
The City said the programme was also attended by the US Consulate to Durban and a Belgium delegation.
Mayoral Youth Development Office manager Nokuthula Hlophe said the office will continue to forge and strengthen relations with sister cities to promote youth development throughout the City.
“The Belgium delegation has shown their support by handing over 35 printers to previously disadvantaged schools. This is a true testament of our growth and reach outside municipal borders,” said Hlophe.
Funding recipient Sandile Mhlanga was grateful for the cash injection into his business. “We appreciate what the municipality has done for our businesses. As business owners, we wish the programme well and that it grows to greater heights.”
The Mercury