AN EMINENT ‘VOLCANIC’ ERUPTION: YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Abstract

Entrepreneurship in general has attracted lots of attention both in literature and practice from the viewpoint of policy makers
and the general public locally and internationally. On the contrary youth entrepreneurship has not received deserving attention. Young people are fast losing hope as they do not see the economic benefits of living in this so called smart thinking city; later on the rain ball nation: Ekurhuleni and South Africa respectively. A trend which if not rectified urgently, is a ‘volcano’ waiting to erupt regarding unemployment and a general better life for most South African families. In a survey we conducted in Ekurhuleni to a representative sample of 100 with a response rate of 84, interesting findings analysed quantitatively, were obtained. We report on the findings as follows: succinctly support structures are failing youth entrepreneurs. Financial support is inadequate. Legislation and policy act as barriers to starting a business in Ekurhuleni. Taxes levied on youth businesses are quite high. The majority of the youth surveyed have matric; they lack tertiary qualifications. At present marketing support for youth entrepreneurs is clearly insufficient from a general perspective, purged at 40%, it is not enough. There is more participation in economic activity by male youth than their female counterparts. However, the difference is not major. Whereas access to small networking facilities, infrastructure such as water, electricity and road network, training and education are available, this is not taking place at a desired scale. Of the training provided little is on management and communication skills. In particular, government is not playing a leading role in providing training and education. Last but not least, the youth have experience in running businesses.