SPONSORED - After a successful pilot in 2021 in Limpopo, Metropolitan’s Collective Shapers programme now aims to find and upskill young, determined entrepreneurs in Tshwane as it gears up for the 2022 intake. Metropolitan Collective Shapers is a youth empowerment initiative that aims to equip youth with specialised knowledge and technical skills in various sectors.
The first intake in Limpopo put 20 young South African farmers through a nine-week programme upskilling them with tools they needed to create long-lasting and sustainable advancement for themselves and their community. At the end of the programme, each participant from the first Metropolitan Collective Shapers intake pitched their businesses to Metropolitan’s executives, with four Shapers finally emerging as winners of a combined R140 000 cash prize – injected back into their businesses.
“The success of the Metropolitan Collective Shapers pilot in Limpopo proved to us that there are young people out there who have the hunger and drive to grow their businesses, but only lack the relevant support and knowledge” said Phumla Mavundla, Head of Marketing: Product and Channel at Metropolitan. Our goal for this second leg is to uplift communities in the city of Tshwane by building on existing skills and passions driving local economies, develop them further and spread knowledge amongst the youth,” she adds.
Youth between the ages of 18 and 34, who are already active in the food and hospitality sector and living in Tshwane can apply to be part of the programme. In addition, you must a permanent resident in South Africa, have a registered business that’s been in operation for no less than two years. The business must be 51% or more black owned.
For more information visit www.metropolitan.co.za/collectiveshapers