The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Business Reporter
FINANCIAL institution CBZ has partnered Empowered Life Trust to create employment by assisting potential entrepreneurs in Matabeleland South Province under the Youth Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP).
YEP is a partnership among CBZ Holdings, official broadcasting station Star FM and Empowered Life Trust, which is a non-profit making organisation.
CBZ group senior marketing manager Mr Joel Gombera said YEP was meant to create employment and revive the economy.
“The programme is there to fill in the gap of unemployment in the society and we want to eradicate that. Entrepreneurship has grown over the years and the budding youths are coming up with fruitful projects,” said Mr Gombera.
CBZ launched the programme last year to give young entrepreneurs, between 18 and 35, a practical and results-based initiative to produce growth-oriented profitable businesses that are run professionally.
He added that the programme was not for ailing oriented youths but those who have the ambition of being successful in the business sector.
“If you are willing to sacrifice for the establishment of a business venture, then you are the right person we are looking for. Successful businesses emerge from sacrifices.
“Look at Strive Masiyiwa and where he is in life. Last year’s winner is a good example of a successful business through sacrifice. She is a varsity student who is able to pay for her academic fees and cater for her life necessities and this is all due to the sacrifice she contributed towards her business,” said Mr Gombera.
Mr Gombera said youths have to come up with sustainable community projects that are entrepreneurial, to develop themselves and their communities at large.
“For the first of its kind, the workshop went quite well as we had an attendance of 255 youths and it shows the growth of the programme and the ambition of the youth to have more expertise in the business field,” said Mr Gombera.
