Learning Entrepreneurship in South Africa
All across South Africa - in every elementary and middle school - kids are crafting business plans, doing market research, balancing budgets, and hawking everything from hot dogs at 50 cents a pop to car washes for $7 each.In a dramatic bid to tackle this country’s persistent unemployment rate of at least 35 percent, entrepreneurship has become a key part of the evolving postapartheid curriculum. Students can’t count on getting good jobs when they graduate, so they’re being taught to create their own work - and help forge a kind of Apprentice Nation.
via Timbuktu Chronicles.
Rich...! on October 3rd, 2004 11:12 am
Hey,
I run a business in South Africa, and while the initiative sounds great on paper, it’s not great in practiice.
Part of the innitiative is to have 17 year olds spend a week at companies learning the ropes, but they’re sent in blind, with no questions, and no idea what they’re looking for, most are just glad to have a week off school. Also, there is no follow up afterwards when they return to school, they don’t need to present back on what they’ve learnt.
It’s a step in the right direction though, so here’s hoping…!
Jo'blog on October 3rd, 2004 11:40 am
Our nation of entrepreneurs
Why are more people not talking about this initiative? All across South Africa - in every elementary and middle school - kids are crafting business plans, doing market research, balancing budgets, and hawking everything from hot dogs at 50
Rob on October 2nd, 2007 1:37 am
This really is the way to go! In fact, Youngbiz, a global company dedicated to teaching kids between the ages of 14 and 19 how to start & run their own businesses has just landed in SA! When I say just landed, we are officially launching on 1 November. For details, please check out our global website http://www.youngbiz.com (SA one to follow soon) but for interest sakes we run two sets of courses, one on entrepreneurship and the other on financial literacy so the kids understand the workings of money as well as business. The courses are held after school, on weekends and during school holidays and once completed, all the kids have access to the global network of kids running businesses through out website so ongoing support and advice is always available from people at the coalface! Anyone want to know more (we will be setting up franchises soon countrywide) please contact us at julie@rosspen.co.za or rob@rosspen.co.za
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