​Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) in partnership with various funded NPOs hosted the Merafong Youth Business Expo (MYBE) at The Western TVET College (Westcol) in Carletonville, West Rand on Friday.
Veronica Namane, Chief Executive Officer of Bambisandla Sam Centre of Excellence explained that they came together as different stakeholders with the assistance of Gauteng Social Development to establish this initiative. The aim of the expo was to encourage enterprise development especially by the youth. She further said as a collective they believe in the capacity of the area to cater for more job opportunities, growth and development.

“We are here to revive hope to youth of this area. They do not have knowledge on how to start businesses. They do not know how to draft business plans and do not know where to go for capital. We are happy with the attendance as they came in numbers. We will evaluate after this expo to determine if this can be hosted annually. We are planning to rope in mining industry around here to become part of the initiative”, Namane said.

24 years old graduate Sindiswa Mabena who hold a diploma in Business Management from Westcol, and is residing in Khutsong expressed her excitement to be part of beneficiaries. “I would like commend the department and its partners for reviving hope to us as youth of Merafong. With the information I received today, I believe, I will become a businesswoman very soon. I now know where to go for assistance. I was hopeless but I realized that very soon I can become an employer in my community”, said Mabena.

Various stakeholders and employers such as Godisang, BBambisandla Sam Centre of Excellence, Ithemba Labantu, Data Service Agency, and Department of Labour exhibited their services on the day.