“Just interacting with the youth – the energy is infectious… There’s a hunger for change, a lot of passion, and dreaming big about reimagining careers and the future of work… I’d say we should follow where energy is and what they’re bringing to the table, and respond to that.
- Dr. Paroma Bhattacharya, Head of Social Innovation – LSE Generate
We welcomed esteemed speakers Dr. Paroma Bhattacharya from LSE Generate (London School of Economics and Political Science) and Luvuyo Maseko from the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (University of Cape Town), to explore the dynamic landscape of youth entrepreneurship in South Africa.
As the youngest continent in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead global innovation. This dynamic demographic presents a powerful opportunity for the continent to become a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship, offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world.
Drawing on their insights on how young South Africans are driving change and creating opportunities amidst high youth unemployment, we delved into examples from global trends and local initiatives, and effective strategies to empower a new generation of changemakers. It was an engaging and thought-provoking conversation, covering a wide range of themes – from the power of youth-driven innovation to reshape futures, to the importance of support structures like mentorship and mental health for young entrepreneurs.
Luvuyo provided a critical yet optimistic view early on, recognising the difficulties faced by young people while also acknowledging their drive to make a difference. He pointed out that entrepreneurship is often presented as a quick fix for unemployment, which can be unrealistic when deeper systemic issues aren’t addressed. However, he noted that South African youth have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a keen interest in innovation, and a growing enthusiasm for social entrepreneurship. This generation is more conscious and values-driven, eager to tackle community challenges and make a positive impact.
Meanwhile, looking toward the future, Paroma highlighted the trend towards ‘borderless ecosystems’, noting that organisations now operate in increasingly fluid environments with diverse ventures, markets, customers, talent, and ideas. She emphasised the importance of building organisations capable of managing this multifaceted diversity – across demographics, worldviews, and experiences – as a key trend to embrace.
You can dive deeper into their conversation by watching the full recording below.
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