IVALUE LEARNERS from Kwena Molapo Secondary School with the Panellists judging the Business Pitch

During April 2015, 19 grade 11 learners from Kwena Molapo High School near Lanseria addressed a panel of four judges, using their newly acquired knowledge of business management and entrepreneurship delivered their feasible business ideas. Over recent months, in groups, they brainstormed their ideas and presented them to the panel with the hopes of being selected to receive start-up capital for their business plans. This was a Strate initiative. Two groups were selected as viable candidates –Matrix Play and iHealth. Matrix Play is an internet service provider to learners at their school, while iHealth aims to accelerate living a healthy life style for schoolchildren and educators.

Students from the University of Johannesburg, completing their Diplomas on Small Business Management were selected as mentors in developing our learners’ skills. Learners have been empowered to understand and apply entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and principles in their entrepreneurship projects, as well as identifying viable entrepreneurial opportunities within their communities.

Currently, our learners are gaining real-world experience in running a business and forming relationships with stakeholders, learning that entrepreneurs are about making profit to foster sustainable economic growth.