Picture: Supplied
SMALL business owner Gopolang Seajane, 32, is one of five young entrepreneurs who have recently graduated from a 12-month Youth Social Entrepreneurship Programme.
The programme is designed to inspire young Gamagara Entrepreneurs who are committed to changing their communities for the better.
Funded by REISA Solar, and implemented by Raizcorp, the programme is aimed to address youth unemployment and tackle a range of pressing socio-economic challenges.
Seajane, the owner of Gamagara Dance Sport Academy said the programme helped him to realise his potential.
“I am grateful for the tools I have acquired to support me when I’m faced with disappointments, rejections, failures, and challenges that come with being an entrepreneur.
“Given my line of work, it has been tough to transform my craft into a profitable business, but the programme also assisted me with that,” said Seajane.
Project Community Operations Officer for REISA Solar, Veronique Isaacs, said they believe the programme will support and add a fundamental change in young people’s lives by promoting the emergence of new youth and women-led businesses.
“It will also help enterprises in their early stages to thrive and become more sustainable,” said Isaacs.
Isaacs said the second phase of the programme provided the local entrepreneurs with the skills to grow their small businesses in a way that reduces their reliance on large entities.
“Furthermore, having completed the programme, REISA Solar will provide funding to the participants requiring capital to expand or grow their business.”