Never trust anything that has not been tested. After many months of being equipped with teen entrepreneurial skills, it was time for combat so that the best of the best could emerge. It was against this backdrop that SA Teen Entrepreneur’s programme hosted the annual Grand Finale on 20 October 2018 at the Southern Sun Cape Sun in Cape Town’s CBD.

The Grand Finale was made possible by a year of motivated mentoring by champion teachers and the much-needed sponsorship of partners and contributors to SA Teen. Thanks must go to Tsogo Sun, Coca-Cola, Cape Talk, Shoprite, EMSolutions, Rotary International, Vineyard Hotel, HCI Foundation and EnterMech.

Entrepreneur Societies from Cravenby Comprehensive School in Ravensmead, Goodwood College in Ruyterwacht, Ikamvalethu Secondary School in Langa, and Saxonsea Primary School in Atlantis battled it out to a panel of judges.

Winners and runner-ups

Innovative business ideas, public speaking and presentation skills were showcased like never before. It was refreshing to note how prospective teen entrepreneurs were learning from the programme. There could, however, be only one winner.

  • Winner: Ikamvalethu High School (created brightly coloured coasters and earrings in traditional African designs, using recycled bottle tops)
  • First runner-up: Ikamvalethu High School (idea to produce brickettes/firelights using recycled material sourced from local households)
  • Second runner-up: Goodwood College (idea concerns a performing arts programme)

Get involved

Sponsoring entrepreneurial events and programmes should not be limited to special occasions. There is such a need to integrate entrepreneurship into the school curriculum and conversations are beginning to take place with the Education Department, but so much more can be done for aspiring teen entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Societies unite teens from all over South Africa, but without greater funding, their inspiration and commitment to entrepreneurship cannot be realised.

Corporate businesses and individuals are encouraged to get involved. You can give of your time, finances and skills to turn things around for our youth. This goes hand in hand with the South African’s government call for companies to sponsor programmes aimed at nurturing small and medium-sized business in an attempt to redress the high unemployment rate of nearly 27 percent of the labour force.

Don’t put it off until later; donate without delay. Get involved today