E-tourism tops as Eskom recognises future entrepreneurs
From MTHULISI SIBANDA in RICHARDS BAY, KZN
RICHARDS BAY, (CAJ News) – A CLASSIC media service rendering an electronic tourism facility has earned a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) school the biggest prize in a competition celebrating youth entrepreneurship in South Africa.
Birdswood High School, situated in Richard’s Bay, emerged the provincial winner of the 2017 Simama Ranta School Entrepreneurship Education Competition, organized by the Eskom Development Foundation, in partnership with the Education With Enterprise Trust (EWET).
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial winner of the competition received a prize of R50 000 (over US$4 200) for winning the competition that encourages scholars to consider entrepreneurship as a career.
Ikhandlela Secondary School received R10 000 as second runner up. Aquedene Secondary School won R25 000 for finishing first runners-up in the annual competition that also celebrates South African schools exemplary in entrepreneurship education.
The prize-giving event was held to recognise the province’s youth and their contribution to socio-economic development as well as encourage a culture of entrepreneurship among scholars.
Birdswood came out tops for a service that offers tourists to tour the province, South Africa and the world in a two-hour session through modern technology.
It has a professional tour guide that takes tourists through the attractions.
The centre accommodating 80 guests also assists leaners with access to internet as well as conference facilities to companies.
Dudu Mngadi, Youth Employment Service (YES) Advisor at Birdswood High School, said the learners had been able to put the theory learnt from subjects such as Accounting to Business Studies and Tourism into practice.
“When they find themselves in leading positions in the business their self-esteem is also benefiting and they have better problem-solving skills as they deal with real customers, solving real problems,” Mngadi said.
Nosipho Ndebele, YES Club member at Birdswood High School, encouraged self-belief and selflessness among youth.
“As a YES Club we learnt that in starting a business you need to be a philanthropist and give back to your community – these are the same people who helped you on your journey,” Ndebele added.
The Eskom Development Foundation is tasked with implementing Eskom’s charity strategy in sectors including enterprise development, education, healthcare, social and community development.
Deon Boshoff, Eskom KZN Operations and Zone Manager, said unemployment was a serious issue in South Africa, with 4 million youth affected.
“Young people should be economically active and helping build their families, communities and the economy,” said Boshoff.
-CAJ News
