ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT KITSO

Entrepreneurship is a key focus area of the Kitso Gap Year Program. It equips young people with practical skills that are difficult to learn in traditional classrooms and prepares them to create opportunities for themselves and others.

Entrepreneurship is not only important for generating income, but also for ensuring that you are economically active and able to support yourself and in some cases, those close to you. In a challenging job market, the ability to create your own opportunity can make a significant difference.

During the program, we explore how to identify opportunities, come up with business ideas, and test those ideas to see whether they are worth pursuing. This is especially important for students who may struggle to find employment after matric.

At the end of the program, we provide small startup grants of R5,000 to selected business ideas that show potential. While these amounts may seem small, for many young people they are enough to take the first step toward building a viable business.

Where possible, we also connect students with local small business owners who understand what it means to run a business in their municipality or community. Learning from someone with lived experience helps make entrepreneurship more practical and realistic.

Mentorship plays an important role in entrepreneurship. While it is not always necessary for success, having guidance can help shed light on challenges, risks, and decisions that new entrepreneurs often face.

SKILLS DEVELOPED FROM OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

Encourages Responsibility and Independence

Being responsible for a project or business requires you to manage time, make decisions, and follow through on commitments.

Boosts Confidence and Resilience

Entrepreneurship involves taking risks and sometimes failing. Learning to face challenges and recover from setbacks builds confidence and resilience.

Develops Problem-Solving Skills

Starting a business teaches you how to identify problems and find solutions, strengthening critical thinking, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Creates Networking Opportunities

Running a venture connects you with customers, suppliers, mentors, and peers. All these relationships can prove to be usefull to your future career.

Builds Financial Literacy

Managing money, budgeting, and understanding profit and loss gives you real-world financial skills that are valuable in any career path.

Ready to Build Your Own Opportunities?

Apply to the Kitso Gap Year Program and start developing the skills you need to succeed.

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