Youth Leadership & Entrepreneurship Development concludes a spectacular year with the graduation of its 2022 cohort. Youth Leadership & Entrepreneurship Development (YLED) graduated the students who participated in the 2022 program on Saturday, October 29, 2022. YLED was established as a non-profit organisation in 2004. Throughout its 18-year history, the organisation has provided over 20,000 Grade 11 students with leadership, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills, developing them through interventions that broaden their personal, academic, professional, and entrepreneurship horizons.

More than 150 students’ friends and family members, as well as school representatives, attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate the students’ accomplishments. In addition to participation certificates, 14 students received individual special awards. The 2022 program was completed by a group of 52 young people.

At graduation, we discovered that the YLED cohort had decided to become activists in addition to learning and maturing as individuals. The cohort took a stand against GBV, South Africa’s most pressing issue, and provided aid and consolation to its victims.

One of the graduates explained, “We’re learning to form our own beliefs and perspectives about the society to which we belong.”

The organisation requested permission to use the entrepreneurial knowledge packaged in the book Conquering the Poverty of the Mind by Rita ‘MaZwane’ Zwane, one of South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Pioneers. Her entrepreneurial memoir contains lessons and experiences that served as a valuable entrepreneurial reference point during their YEC journey.

YEC is a program that divides students into groups, with each group forming a business that must sell their chosen products and/or services to generate a profit after expenses are deducted.

“During the course of the programme, we allow learners to create a mini enterprise that provides value to external stakeholders and themselves as part of their education, increasing their entrepreneurial awareness and intentions” – said Solly Savhuli, YLED Programme Manager.

Two of the graduates had the following to say about their experiences:[/vc_column_text]

“YLED has taught me to work under pressure, to be aware of my surroundings, to pay attention to what I’m doing, and, most importantly, to work diligently and with initiative.”

Among other achievements, the organisation celebrated its partnership with the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science, which has allowed it to expose Africa’s next generation of leaders to Africa’s number one business school almost 6 years before it can even become a reality. It has been a transformative year, with young people amazed that adults can also study after witnessing many of them pursue Postgraduate studies such as Diploma programmes (PGDip), Masters’s Programmes (MBA), and Doctoral programmes (DBA, PHD).

The ceremony was a spectacle with an exciting program.

To begin the ceremony, Leigh-Ann Govender, YLED Youth Self Leadership (YSL) lead, and Thandiswa Ndlovu, YLED YEC, reflected on the young people’s learning and growth journeys. Following that, four members of the cohort presented their positive word and vision boards, much to the surprise of all those present, owing to the confidence shown and the quality of the presentations.

The keynote speaker, Faith Moeletsane (Human Resources Professional, YLED NPO Board Member, and an Award Winning Social Change Agent), moved the audience with her speech, which was based on the year’s theme of changing the tide.

“I believe I can make a significant contribution to people’s development by continuously learning and gaining in-depth knowledge and understanding, allowing us to shape and transform our country together.” – Faith Moeletsane

Abdullah Verachia (GIBS Senior Faculty, Global Strategist, and Speaker) shared his inspirational and moving life stories, giving the audience insight into how he got to where he is today and leaving them impacted and inspired. A parent remarked on the motivational message, “Company executives pay thousands of Rands to be lectured by Abdullah Verachia, and he was brought to us what a privilege.”

Steven Zwane, Founder and Chairperson of YLED, closed the event by congratulating the 2022 cohort on a well-travelled journey and well-deserved recognition. He praised the graduates for starting a process and seeing it through despite the difficulties and noting that their actions demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to self-development, which will serve them well in their future endeavours.

He went on to thank their learners for their commitment and drive; parents for their support; schools for their ongoing support and enablement; sponsors for their contribution to another successful YLED program; and the ever-supportive and present YLED friends and Volunteers who helped make the first fully-fledged YLED program since 2019 a resounding success.[/vc_column_text]

TOP HONOURS IN THE YLED 2022 PROGRAMME WENT TO

Best YLEDer: Kotulo Nxasana of McAuley House

Kotulo Nxasana of McAuley House received the Leadership Award.

The Equaliser Award went to Sevy Sithole of Kaalfontein Secondary School.

Melat Gebremeskel, a student at Jeppe High School for Girls received the Entrepreneur Award.

Best Overall YEC Enterprise: ALT (Altitude Lively Technologies)

Best General Manager: Kotulo Nxasana of McAuley House

TOP TEN STUDENTS FOR 2022

Sisanda Gambu (McAuley House)

Oratile Ngubane (Royals High School)

Olwethu Zwane (Michael Mount Waldorf)

Sevy Sithole (Kaalfontein Secondary School)

Msizi Mthimkhulu (Kaalfontein Secondary School)

Njabulo Kunene (Die Adelaar)

Nakayah Govender (Glenvista High School)

Kotulo Nxasana (McAuley House)

Thato Sekhuthe (Elspark High School)

Melat Gebremeskel (Jeppe High School for Girls)

The 2023 YLED program will begin on January 25, 2023, and prospective students in grade 11 are encouraged to visit the YLED website and monitor all social media platforms for updates.