Led by Teach A Man To Fish in collaboration with WESSA and BWDT the Entrepreneurial and Environmental Empowerment for South African Youth (EEESAY) programme is made possible with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Africa. This milestone endeavour is producing promising young entrepreneurs in three of the poorest districts in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The practical business skills provided through workshops and field visits has enabled enterprising young people to plan, set up and lead businesses such as tuck-shops, creative arts ventures, fast food preparation and service enterprises that include hiring out calculators and running a car wash. While profits are modest at the moment, business-savvy learners are investing their profits in new stock and expanding their businesses.
On the 12th October, Cathcart High School hosted the 2018 annual Eastern Cape networking and celebration event for participating schools in the Chris Hani and Amathole districts, where a number of prizes were awarded. Finding novel ways to manage waste earned Cathcart High School the Environmental Award, and Sobantu High School earned their Best Up and Coming Business Award through by finding creative ways to set a business in a rural area. Vuselela High School earned the Best Business Plan with their in-depth planning and Byletts High School won the Business Portfolio Prize that celebrates the increase in confidence, team working and problem-solving of learners. Three other schools are awarded with special commendations for the tuckshop businesses; WB Rubusana Senior Secondary School, Phakamani Senior Secondary School and Fundani High School.
On the 19th October, the 2018 annual KwaZulu-Natal networking and celebration event took place in Ladysmith for participating schools in the uThukela and Amajuba districts, where a number of prizes were awarded. The Business Development Prize for their diverse range of products was awarded to Amazulu High School. Three schools – Tshanibezwe High School, Phendukani Full Service High School and Endakane High School were each recognised with a Best Up and Coming Business award, and two schools, Indonsa High School and Mana High School received Special Achievement awards.
In its second year running, the EEESAY Programme has been an outstanding success by providing step-by-step experiential learning to learners where they have identified business opportunities, applied sound business planning, and implemented robust business plans to generate profit. Schools can invest the profits to develop both the school and school business. At the same time it is a great opportunity for teachers to continue their own professional development. At a time when South African youth need it most, the EEESAY programme is addressing the much needed entrepreneurial and technical skills in order to achieve sustainable development.
Since the start of the project most of the catering and refreshments provided to participants is done through a school business, and all of the food and drinks at the annual networking and celebration event was provided by various school businesses. Two of the schools have received external accolades; Cathcart High School won the Best Business Idea in the School Enterprise Challenge awards and Amazulu High School was awarded 1st Runner Up in the Eskom Youth Entrepreneurial competition.
Ends.
The Teach A Man to Fish Programme Manager, WESSA Programme Manager, and award winners are available for radio and television interviews.
Susannah Morcowitz, Teach A Man to Fish EEESAY Programmes, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Email susannah@teachamantofish.org.uk or cell 079 859 6870
Sue Spies, WESSA Schools Entrepreneurship Programme Manager
Email sue.spies@wessa.co.za or cell 082 663 6692
Images and captions:
Eastern Cape
Image 1: Schools from both districts came to the networking and celebration event held at Cathcart High School
Image 2: All the catering at the event was planned, prepared and delivered by learners from schools that have catering enterprises as their school business
Image 3: The learners at Cathcart High School learning in action
Image 4: seven schools were recognised at the EC Networking and Celebration event for their entrepreneurial endeavours
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Image 1:
Amazulu High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District in Madadeni, Newcastle with three supporting teachers Ms Ndwandwe, Mr Dlalisa and Mrs Maseko; learners and DoE representatives from Amajuba (Mr Ntuli) and Uthukela Districts, Miss Phumzile Hlophe.
Image 2:
Phendukani Full Service High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District in Madadeni, Newcastle with their lead teacher Miss Tshabalala, Mr Ntuli from DoE Amajuba District and Miss Hlophe Uthukela District. Phendukani Full Service High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 3:
Endakane High School Business Team, a school from Uthukela District in Ezakheni in Ladysmith with supporting teachers; Mr Manyoni and Mr Zondo and DoE representatives Mr Ntuli and Miss Hlophe. Endakane High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 4:
Tshanibezwe High School Business Team, a school from Uthukela District in Kwa-Dukuza, Bergville with supporting teachers Mr Maphalala and Mr Hlatshwayo and DoE representatives Mr Ntuli and Miss Hlophe. Tshanibezwe High School won a prize for Up and Coming Business Category
Image 5:
Mana High School Business team, a school from Amajuba District, in Annieveile Newcastle with supporting teachers Miss Sibisi and Mr Luvuno along with DoE representatives Mr Ntuli NS Miss Hlophe. Mana High School won a prize for Special Commendation
MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO:
www.wessa.org.za
www.teachamantofish.org.za
www.schoolenterprisechallenge.org