Youth Participation in the Mainstream Economy

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Recognising that there is a low representation of youth in the mainstream economy either as employees or employers, Dolsden Oracle (Pty) Ltd recently launched the eThekwini Economic Talk.

This initiative aims to tackle issues that discourage economic growth and development in KwaZulu-Natal and also seek to formulate solutions which would allow students and graduates to be more proactive.

Dolsden Oracle (Pty) Ltd a consulting firm established by UKZN students working in partnership with Urban-Econ and UKZN, opened the dialogue to students on 11 April at Graduate School of Business (Westville campus).

eThekwini Municipality Youth Office spokesperson, Mr Mndeni Mkhize who is also a UKZN alumnus, was one of the guest speakers at the event. He engaged students about the services offered by the Municipality to prepare graduates for the work environment. Mkhize also encouraged students to utilise the online resources which include the eCareers page for open vacancies.

Also partaking in the discourse was Ms Malindi Kunene as a Small medium enterprises (SMME) specialist and also a UKZN lecturer who also shed light on how the UKZN curriculum also prepares graduates for the work environment. Kunene also highlighted the entrepreneurship module offered to the student at the business school and entrepreneurship initiatives that UKZN is sponsoring to encourage students to become job creators as opposed to job seekers. Kunene also spoke about some of the factors that disqualify and discourage people from applying for funding, especially SMME. Noting that people should seek assistance when completing funding application forms. Mr Doctor Sangweni, Head of Research and Development at Dolsden Oracle encouraged youth participation in the mainstream economy through entrepreneurship.

They hoped to continuously engage more professionals from both the public and the private sectors in conversations that will equip students with updated skills to better their chances of survival in the work environment or in business.

Words: Nokubonga Nomasiko Jele