Johannesburg, 10 December 2024: The Step-Up-2 A-Start-Up, National Youth Entrepreneurship awards, celebrated their 10-year anniversary in style today at the Wanderers Club, with a glitzy affair that included 36 finalists from around South Africa who provided an electric atmosphere, and several large corporate senior managers who have been involved in supporting the competition over the years.
The programme, co-led by Youthstart Foundation and Primestars, is a ground-breaking South African program, designed to nurture entrepreneurship among high school learners, with a particular focus on youth unemployment that currently sits at around 60%.
Leadership Driving Change
Nkosinathi Moshhonoa, the founding director of the Youthstart Foundation, has played a pivitolrole in driving the vision for the program, ensuring that itempowers youth to become resilient and innovative entrepreneurs.
One of the best aspects of the awards, is the prizes that includes an array of fully funded scholarships and bursaries from the likes of Richfield and the Johannesburg Business School, as well as work and learning opportunities and support and mentorship from the likes of Raizcorp who provide a full business launch program as part of the prizes available
Martin Sweet, MD of Primestars, who launched the event in 2014, commented to the audience that: “Your presence is testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a greener future and empowering others. Let us acknowledge and celebrate the collective effort that has brought us to this pivotal moment and made Step-Up possible.
He acknowledged the contribution of former Thabo Mbeki. as the keynote speaker that he said “demonstrates the enduring legacy of his visionary leadership. It was under his guidance that this transformative programme was launched 10-years ago”.
Corporate Support Encouraging Talent Growth
Peter Taylor – CEO Citi Bank provided perspective of his company’s involvement with the awards saying “One of the things that we are passionate about at Citi, is recognising the potential in South Africa, and it’s been my pleasure to do that over the last five years while in Citi in South Africa. “I want to tell you that we’ve got just so much talent in this country, and I think the opportunity that they’ve got needs to be recognised” he said. Continuing on Taylor says: “And I think we should all play a part in building that and making sure that our youth can get access to the global economy in the world”.
He highlighted that things are changing at an unprecedented pace and that Prime Stars, with these programmes, are building the youth and equipping them for this fast-changing world.
Peter expressed his belief that “it’s time for South Africa to emerge as one of the most critical and important players on the world stage, I mean, we’re seeing us leading the G20 and the E20 next year and we’ve got a real opportunity to take our place in this stage and to leverage the unique opportunity that South Africa has with our talent, with our business, with our geographic location, with our history” he commented.
Nkosinathi Moshoana, the COO of Primestars, got the audience and competitors energised and commented that “we are taking the youth from Schoolroom to Boardroom, giving them the power and opportunity to innovate and enhance, not only their lives, but also that of their communities.
The Winners:
In a closely contested competition the winners were separated by decimal points and there was certainly a lot of emotion on display with those who had won category prizes, that in themselves was substantial.
The top three were finally announced with school teams from Limpopo, Kimberly and Gauteng walking away with top honours as follows:
- 1st Place: Green Entrepreneurs team of Ramadimetja Chidi, Titelo Mashamati, and Tibuyile Maziya from Marobathota High School in Bonye Limpopo
- 2nd Place: Eco-Umbrella team of Boingotlo Frans, Boitumelo Sekgopi and Lesego Majake from Thabane High School in Kimberly
- 3rd Place: the Eco-Green Eco-Synthesis team of Honest Mayoalong, Mellisa Mpande and Nomusa Mathebula of Afrika Tikkun Uthando Centre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg
