Hundreds of young people recently attended a Youth Tech Expo hosted by the Gauteng Department of e-Government.
The Tech Expo, held at East Rand School of Arts, Daveyton in Benoni, was organized to contribute towards youth employment and youth entrepreneurship for the youth in Ekurhuleni. Various companies in the business sector, partnered with the department in order to enable training and funding opportunities for the youth.
MEC for the Gauteng Department of e-Government, Research and Development and Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mzi Khumalo,indicated that the expo was organized to empower the youth of Ekurhuleni with career opportunities in the ICT sector, as well as to render assistance to SMME owners with funding opportunities.
“We are here to work with you as the youth and assist you in developing your careers through opening up opportunities essential for your growth, whether in employment or entrepreneurship”,said MEC Mzi Khumalo.
The MEC also added that the Youth Tech Expo was hosted in order to educate the youth with key issues regarding the ICT sector and how they can go about starting their own businesses ,alluding that knowledge plays a significant role in developing people.
“We are here to empower you with knowledge so that you can be educated and be aware of the various opportunities available for you out there. Knowledge plays a significant role in one’s development. You will be shocked that a number of people missed great opportunities in life because of lack of knowledge. Therefore, when your mind is empowered with the right knowledge, you will be able to make proper and informed decisions about your life”,said MEC Mzi Khumalo.
On the day, the youth were given advise on how to set up their companies to be eligible to do business with the government. They were also taught essential issues, such as financial wellness, managing a business, selecting a career in ICT as well as available ICT training.
The various companies that graced the event and joined hands in empowering the youth were; Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Huawei, Siyafunda,Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings (EOH), First National Bank (FNB), Assupol, Tshepo 1 million, W&R SETTA, City of Ekurhuleni andThe Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP).
Phathu Rachipeti, a representative of SEDA, indicated that SEDA is a business and technology incubator that stimulates growth for small or starting businesses with key essential needed for business operations.
Rachipeti encouraged young people who were in attendance to register and join SEDA as in order to benefit from development processes offered by the organisation.
“I would like to encourage all young people who are here today, to go out there and register to be part of SEDA. We play a very essential role in empowering young people to achieve their dreams. We offer coaching and mentorship, capacity building, training & skills development, networking and linkages, together with market access and suppliers development opportunities”, said Rachipeti.
At the event, there were also giveaways to encourage the youth in their career or business development.
Luyanda Zondo one of the winners at the Expo,won a laptop sponsored by EOH. .
“The laptop is going to come in very handy as I will be using it for my studies, business plan proposals, and research”, said Zondo.
She also recommended that the department of e–Government should continue with such an initiative as it offers young people with empowerment opportunities.
“Today apart from winning the laptop, I learnt a lot about opportunities that are available in the ICT industry. Opportunities such as starting your own business, bursaries that are available, and internships together with training opportunities in the ICT sector. I would encourage the Gauteng department of e-Government to continue with such a wonderful initiative throughout the province and if it is possible to come back here again next year”, added Zondo.
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