Sixty seven youth in North West advance to the next phase of CCBSA’s Youth Empowerment Programme

Sixty seven youth taking part in Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s (CCBSA) Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) have advanced to the next exciting phase of selection. This will see them participate in a “bootcamp” where they will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to potentially manage one of the 45 “Bizniz in a Box” spaza shops available through the programme.

As part of its broader commitment to give back to communities across South Africa, CCBSA (South Africa’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola) launched its YEP in Rustenburg in October last year. Supported by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), the YEP is one of CCBSA’s flagship projects under its Youth Empowerment pillar. Its focus on youth enterprise development is a key element of its corporate strategy – ensuring that the company increases economic opportunities for, and participation by South African youth, particularly in the communities where it operates.

The comprehensive rollout of the programme in Rustenburg received tremendous support from the community. While a collective 372 originally applied, this group has now been shortlisted down to the 67 bootcamp attendees. “After completing the bootcamp, they will then be considered for the opportunity to qualify to receive one of the spaza shop available to manage, with a view to paying it off and ultimately owning it,” explains Tsholofelo Mqhayi, Head: Enterprise and Community Development at CCBSA.

Mqhayi adds that the philosophy at the heart of the YEP stems from CCBSA’s commitment towards developing entrepreneurs who are committed to their own success. “South Africa needs entrepreneurs who can respond to rapidly changing business environments and adapt their SMEs accordingly. It is this type of thinking and approach we try to foster through the programme,” she says.

She adds that CCBSA is encouraged by new business models currently reshaping the industry’s ecosystem: “We’re excited about creating new possibilities that empower and cultivate a generation of self-starters among our youth.”

Bootcamp candidates can look forward to workshops that are fast-paced, interactive and focus on the daily challenges of business. The training will include business strategy, innovation and organisation design so that they’re better placed to turn their business ideas into reality.

“Through our YEP, we continue to create a stepping stone for enterprising youth to have their first real experience of business. By giving them this hand-up, we’re hoping to show them that there are real opportunities out there for them – and give them some of the tools they will need to pursue these. We look forward to our spaza shops becoming the catalyst for many more entrepreneurial ventures for these young people,” concludes Mqhayi.

Related Media Releases

Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana opens taps for agriculture university

The Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) has secured a precious supply of free water after Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana (CCBB) committed to donating water from its newly installed water treatment plant for agricultural irrigation at the campus.

Forests of the future take shape with support from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Kenya

Tree planting efforts on the public holiday declared by the Kenyan government received a boost with the participation of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Kenya.

CCBA in Kenya hailed as beverage manufacturer of the year

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Kenya is proud to have received the Manufacturer of the Year Award again this year. Our products emerged tops in the carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, energy drinks and fruit juices categories, having garnered the most votes in the Kenya Beverage Excellence Awards. The business was also recognised with the Sustainability Award.