Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day – teach him to fish and he will be fed for the rest of his life.

Skills transfer is a vital part of community upliftment and, for the first time, learners of the Soutpansberg area will be provided with a platform to learn new entrepreneurial skills. This follows the launch of the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s Youth Initiative on Friday, September 11.

Present at the launch were headmasters from various local schools and businessmen who have approved the programme. The initiative will be in partnership with Junior Achievement of South Africa (JASA) and will coincide with the launch of the Soutpansberg Inter-Schools of South Africa (ISSA).

JASA offers a range of business education programmes specially aimed at preparing the youth for life after school by raising their awareness of economic issues and providing them with an understanding of the business world, entrepreneurial and life skills.

Speaking at the launch, Wally Schultz, manager of the Chamber, said that the programme would fit in perfectly with the Chambers’ profile of encouraging and supporting business growth in the area.

“The youth, after all, are our business leaders of the future and this is a great opportunity to equip them with essential business skills.”

The Chamber has selected JASA’s ‘Mini-Enterprise Programme’ as part of the initiative. This programme comprises an 11-week, intensive business programme where students will have the opportunity to start and manage their own business. The Chamber has also agreed to lend their support to Inter-Schools of South Africa as part of this youth initiative.

Speaking on behalf of ISSA at the launch was founder and former businesswoman Julie Steynberg. She revealed her dream for the area, which is to identify young potential leaders of the future and to provide them with real opportunities to develop their talents.

The primary focus of the ISSA programme is to identify learners with exceptional abilities in five categories. These categories include sports, academic excellence, beauty (Face of ISSA), leadership and Miss Matric. ISSA undertakes to help create opportunities for the winners to develop their full potential to evolve into the leaders of tomorrow.

Schools are invited to nominate 10 learners in each category to move into the semifinals. The programme will run until July 16 next year. Schools can enter learners who will be in Grade 4 to 11 next year. For more information, phone Wally at 079 902 9988.