11 Mar 2013

Young people have been urged to take heed of advice that the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) give if they are to venture into business.

LEA business advisory officer based in Kanye, Ms Baboloki Monkge said during a computer studies unit career fair in Moshupa that LEA sought to encourage businesses to use locally available natural resources and raw materials within the identified key sectors such as dairy, horticulture, leather and piggery amongst others.

Furthermore, Ms Monkge indicated that LEA targeted entrepreneurs and enterprises within the key sectors, particularly women, youth and the unemployed.

She stated that they were building competencies in quality and efficiency to encourage import substitution and export oriented products and services.

She said it was necessary to provide a sheltered and protective environment so that businesses could have the best chance of survival during the most difficult and trying times after start-up.

LEA  provided business planning, training and advisory services and to qualify, one had to register with LEA, while individuals and businesses were taken through a screening process to determine their needs. LEA did not provide financial services but facilitated access to finance as well as provide support services before and after funding.

Moshupa youth officer, Ms Nono Masilonyana said Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme was available to unemployed youth aged between 18-35 years. She said they funded the projects at a tune of P100 000 and 50 per cent was payable by the government while the rest was by the owner.

Ms Masilonyana advised youth to refrain from depending on handouts, adding that they should strive hard to engage in profitable businesses for employment creation.

Concerning the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), Ms Masilonyana explained that the scheme empowered the unemployed youth on business management, business opportunities and discipline.  ENDS