Cape Town’s teens perform well in National Youth Green Entrepreneurship Program
The girls attended Bootcamp workshops, such as creating a business plan, managing social media for their business, and listening to motivational interviews.
- Three students from Bonteheuwel High School recently participated in this year’s National Youth Green Entrepreneurship Program.
- The girls presented their idea of developing the economy through a “clothing exchange service” that reduces wasted clothing and allows buying and selling in the community.
- Even though they didn’t win, the three students received scholarships and tech tablets to start their business.
Three students from Bonteheuwel High School in Cape Town are beaming with pride after successfully presenting their green business concepts to a jury.
This saw them walk away with scholarships and tech tablets during this year’s Primestar Step Up 2 program, a national green entrepreneurship program for young people.
Participants in the program, who come from underprivileged schools across the country, were tasked with coming up with business ideas that meet local needs and solve environmental problems.
Cassidy Spoctor, 15, Farazaanah Laubser, 15, and Tamara Oliver, 16, were among 10 teams of 25 students and nine teachers from across South Africa who traveled to Johannesburg earlier this week to present their green innovation and their entrepreneurial skills.
The young people came up with the idea of a “clothing exchange service” which reduces clothing waste and enables buying and selling in the community.
Speaking to News24 minutes after landing in Cape Town, the girls said they noticed clothing dumping was a big problem in their area.
Olivier said:
We submitted a business proposal for a clothing exchange that would allow people to buy and sell used clothing from us, which would allow the community to access reasonably priced clothing and earn money. money by selling clothes.
The girls added that before the awards ceremony, they were sent to a training camp at the Wanderers Club where they attended workshops such as creating a business plan, managing networks. social media for their business and listening to motivational interviews.
“It was amazing. It opened our minds to new possibilities and understandings on how we can improve the economy,” added Laubser.
The girls also took part in a Bootcamp recently.
Three teenagers from Bonteheuwel High School qualified for this year’s National Youth Green Entrepreneurship Program final
On Tuesday, the teens were tasked with “selling” their business idea to a panel of sponsors, which ranked all submissions.
“It was such a valuable experience. One of the most important things we learned is not to give up, so we’re going to give this company our all,” said an enthusiastic Spoctor.
Although the girls did not win at the awards ceremony held at the Houghton Hotel, they still received scholarships from Richfield and the University of Johannesburg, and tablets from Sizwe IT.
Laubser said:
We’re a little disappointed that we didn’t win the first prize, but just being in the final was a great experience because even though we didn’t win, we learned a lot and we will continue with what we have. have started.
The bubbly teens said they feel a sense of pride that it’s not every day that good stories come out of their region.
“Bonteheuwel is not always painted in a very good light, and if our small achievements can help encourage other young people in the region to see that there is more to life than unemployment, drugs and gangsterism , so we consider that a victory, ”added Spoctor. .
The school’s business teacher, Chad Moodie, 26, who oversaw their entry into the competition, said the experience was “invaluable.”
“I’m so proud of them. It’s amazing how committed this team has been. They spent endless nights working on their business idea and taking each other’s advice into account, and their growth in the world. during this process has been amazing, ”added Moodie. .
The young people said it was their first time flying on an airplane and they enjoyed every minute of it.
READ | Free State student takes gold at international science fair
“With the exams finally over, it was a great experience for us to relax and see what the future holds,” the girls added.
Learners and their business teacher Chad Moodie at this year’s awards ceremony
Cassidy Spoctor, 15, Farazaanah Laubser, 15, and Tamara Oliver, 16, were among ten teams of 25 learners and 9 teachers from South Africa who flew to Joburg earlier this week to present their green innovation and their entrepreneurial skills.
The future looks bright for these young people as they focus on growing the economy.
“We will definitely be using the scholarships we have been given to further our career in business, it’s very exciting,” said Oliver.
While their business has just started, they plan to use their tablets to promote their clothing business on social media, as the girls do not have funding yet.
Bonteheuwel Ward Councilor Angus Mackenzie said he was “extremely proud of the young girls.”
“We have always seen the young people of Bonteheuwel achieve extraordinary things despite the truly horrible conditions they find themselves in and these young girls have shown that with determination anything is possible,” added Mackenzie.
He added that the community always needs to uplift and these young people have shown it.
“We need this good news, we need to support our young people and push them to be great in life because they are the future leaders. These young people have shown that anything is possible, even if you come from Bonteheuwel! Mackenzie said.
We want to hear your take on the news. Subscribe to News24 be part of the conversation in the comments section of this article.