Artisans stand to benefit significantly from the Green Economy, with an estimated 75% of jobs in this sector expected to be filled by trade artisans in the future. While the anticipated transition to a sustainable green future holds immense promise, technical artisans will also need to navigate growing challenges like community disruption and the influence of construction mafias.
These were some of the relevant topics explored at the recent Makers Fest 2024, which shone a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities facing young artisan entrepreneurs. The event addressed issues such as navigating community disruptions and the construction mafia, while also highlighting the vast potential of the green economy, where an estimated 75% of new jobs will be created for artisans. The 3rd Annual Allan Gray Makers Fest, themed ‘Innovating the Trades for a Sustainable Future,’ successfully brought together key players in the technical and vocational trades sector to explore these critical issues and more.
Highlights from the event included:
The National Entrepreneurship Inter-College Finals, where young entrepreneurs from TVET institutions across the country kicked off the first day of Makers Fest 2024 by pitching their innovative ideas that will build the businesses of tomorrow. Delegates and judges were treated to ingenious pitches from bright young minds, leading up to the unveiling of winners and runners-up across four competitive categories.
National Business Initiative CEO, Shameela Soobramoney identified the various sectors within the green economy like renewable energy, recycling, up-cycling and and how these fields held immense opportunities for employment and entrepreneurial growth, with up to 75% of new jobs and artisan skills being required in the future.
A powerful keynote address delivered by Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, emphasized the importance of ethical leadership in entrepreneurship.
Ministerial Address by the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala outlining government initiatives in pioneering sustainable infrastructure and the vital role vocational training and artisans play in the country’s economy.
Adv. Dirk van Zyl of Group One Advocates provided practical and legal advice on how young artisanal entrepreneurs could protect themselves and their businesses from construction mafia tactics, an insidious and widespread corrupt practice that has hamstrung economic growth in the sectors in which trade artisans operate.
“One of the most urgent challenges facing our country is the lack of meaningful employment opportunities for young people; this affects 9 million young people who are not economically active, not engaged in employment nor training. This challenge fuels Allan Gray Makers’ mission to find solutions to the problem of poverty and unemployment, by nurturing and empowering technical artisan entrepreneurship with the ultimate goal of a prosperous and productive society, that thrives with dignity and hope,” says Seth Mulli, Allan Gray Makers Programme Director. “The technical and vocational trades industry is often overlooked, but at Allan Gray Makers we see this industry as the sleeping giant of the economy that can create employment and income-earning opportunities for young people.”
The 2-day event offered an exciting lineup of inspiring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive innovation labs designed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to future-proof their trades. Alongside the conference offering, a mini-expo showcased the latest in green economy tools, equipment and accessories for artisans as well as access to business funding and entrepreneurship facilitators.
Makers Fest 2024 Kicks Off with National Entrepreneurship Inter-College Finals
The opening day of the recent Makers Fest 2024 was marked by a display of innovation and entrepreneurship at the National Entrepreneurship Inter-College Finals. Young entrepreneurs from TVET institutions nationwide took the stage to pitch their groundbreaking business ideas, offering a glimpse into the future of South Africa’s artisan trades and industries. The importance of these trade skills was underscored by the revelation that 75% of jobs in the future green economy will be held by artisans with trade skills.
36 Talented finalists, leveraging the skills and knowledge honed through their Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education vied for the Awards, with Winners receiving R50 000 and Runners-Up R30 000 each to kick-start their entrepreneurial journeys.
The Awards were presented to visionary business concepts across four competitive categories:
Category: I Have a Business Idea
Winner: Cyril Masivhenge, Nkangala TVET College
Runner-Up: Melusi Nzama, Majuba TVET College
Category: I Have an Artisanal Business
Winner: Khwezi Agyapong, Majuba TVET College
Runner-Up: Wilmore Choto, College of Cape Town
Category: I Have a Tech Business
Winner: Mohau Tau, Motheo TVET College
Runner-Up: Lungisa Sibonza, Enhlanzeni TVET College
Category: I Have a General Business
Winner: Liza Basegi, Ekurhuleni West TVET College
Runner-Up: Rashaad Sambaba, Falsebay TVET College
Seth Mulli, Programme Director for Allan Gray Makers highlighted the immense opportunities for the technical and vocational trades industry – a sector that is often overlooked – but one which Allan Gray Makers sees as the ‘Sleeping Giant’ of South Africa’s economy, with the capacity to create employment and income-earning opportunities for young people.
Mulli also offered sage and encouraging advice to the Winners, Runners-Up and Finalists, urging them to continue on their entrepreneurial journey: “It is important to recognise the technical talent, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that resides within the artisan trades sector, which is why the celebration of these future thinkers and entrepreneurs at events like Makers Fest is important; together our collective effort can create collective impact.”
