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The Matatiele Local Municipality and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) joined forces to train youth with disabilities in entrepreneurship. The program aimed to equip participants with practical skills to launch and manage successful small businesses.
What Happened
The week-long training brought together dozens of young people eager to change their lives through business. Sessions covered business planning, marketing, and financial management, offering hands-on lessons to strengthen their entrepreneurial journey.
Participants also learned how to apply for funding and access available business support services. Many were registered for NYDA business grants, paving the way for their ventures to take off.
Each graduate received a certificate of completion, marking a significant step toward self-reliance and financial independence.
“This program has opened doors for me,” said one participant. “I now have the confidence and tools to start my own business.”
Official Response
Matatiele Local Municipality officials praised the initiative, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to economic inclusion.
“Empowering youth with disabilities is key to building a fair and thriving community,” said a municipal spokesperson. “We will continue creating opportunities that ensure no one is left behind.”
NYDA representatives echoed this sentiment, reaffirming their mission to foster sustainable youth-led enterprises across the country.
Community Impact
The training has already begun to inspire local change. Families and community members applauded the initiative, seeing it as a vital step toward equality and empowerment.
By investing in young entrepreneurs with disabilities, the program not only supports individual growth but also contributes to Matatiele’s broader economic development goals.
