Entrepreneurship has been a steady aspect of promoting and motivating citizens in the country to seek opportunities that could allow them to start their own businesses with 31% of population in the country comprising of the youth they play a significant role in uplifting the economy, a feat that some of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) students have taken up whilst being full time students.
Samkelisiwe Mngadi shares her experience in being a part time vendor, baking and selling cakes, stating that capital was the biggest challenge going into entrepreneurship.
“I cannot secure government funds as they require the owner of the business to be fully on hand with the business.”
Asanda Vilakazi, second year, Public Relations student started her own construction company, Matjili Cleaners Pty/Ltd in 2021 in her community, Sweet Waters Area in Pietermaritzburg.
“The main aim of starting a business was to create more job opportunities and make something of myself, so if ever life does not go as planned, I have something solid to fall back on.”
Vilakazi also spoke on the challenges of being a young black female entrepreneur in an industry most suited to men, highlighting that because of her age, people did not take her ideas or knowledge on the industry seriously.
“At first financially I wasn’t that stable much to get the machines I needed for my construction company but as time went by, I was able to sacrifice for the greatness that I have today.”
With her company she was granted a tender to fix the road in her community in 2023.
According to Statistics South Africa(StatsSA), the percentage of the youth actively seeking for employment with no luck went from 36,8% (2014) to 45,5% (2024) quickly putting into perspective the level in which the economy is progressing in, motivating people to look locally and see what can be done.
Lusanda Ndlovu currently studying Beng Tech in Mechanical Engineering at the Steve Biko campus chose to venture in Landscaping from taking care of his family’s lawn and explained that it grew into a passion from the exposure to the various equipment that could do a better job.
“With this business I target to employ many Horticulture students since in this country we are facing a high unemployment rate, and their speciality is in landscaping; we aim to bring in other job opportunities.”
With a staff of one permanent and four part time employees they have worked on improving houses in Amanzimtoti, Adams Mission.
“Our location is situated in a developing area which is good for our business because we are aiming to provide beautiful landscapes in people’s homes,” adds Ndlovu.
With initiatives like Envision2030 and Entrepreneurial Edge at DUT, there is hope that students will be equipped and taught the skills they need to migrate to entrepreneurship.
“Additionally, I think our youth is not well educated about entrepreneurship if we can spread the gospel of entrepreneurship starting with the kids in primary school because they are the future youth, youth development would be much easier and more optimal,” said Mnagdi.
“It is very devastating to see young people like me living just for the purpose of breathing but not making something of themselves.” – Asanda Vilakazi