The Awethu Project has teamed up with the Governments Jobs Fund and are offering 250 scholarships worth R45 000 each to enter Awethu’s entrepreneurship training academy.
How it Works
Entrepreneurs will be required to be running a business after month one of a 6-month training programme. The top 10% of graduates will then be eligible to receive an equity investment from Awethu’s investment fund of up to R250K (#Awe250K).
Humble Beginnings
Founded 6 years ago by Yusuf Randera-Rees, a South African graduate of Harvard and Oxford who is passionate about correcting the social inequalities in our country.
Awethu has grown from a R60 000 start up into an institution with R160 million to invest into its vision. The Awethu Project is a progressive, young, black and innovative entrepreneurship development company. It’s supported by both individuals and institutions ranging from Archbishop Tutu to Discovery Holdings.
Awethu’s vision is to create thousands of young entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities with the talent, skills, and resources to lead South Africa into prosperity.
Internationally Recognised
Investors and entrepreneurs can work together with Awethu to transform the economy. Their work is globally recognised and they recently became a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. In 2011 they won the prestigious Echoing Green social entrepreneurship award. Beating 2 854 applicants from over 100 countries to be selected as one of the 15 best ventures.
Loyiso Gola has become Awethu’s first ambassador. He has already given an inspiration presentation about how he went from a petrol station attendant to a world-class entertainer through hard work and perseverance.
A Vision for the Future
Within South Africa there is a whole new generation of world-class, cross-cultural young leaders being discovered in every industry and occupation.
Awethu wants to partner with these young leaders to combine their ideas, abilities and influence to overcome the very difficult challenge of unemployment and marginalisation amongst the youth.
With this new investment from the Government Jobs Fund, Awethu will be offering 250 scholarships to their training programme. Giving these future entrepreneurs a chance to better transform our economy and make South Africa thrive.
How to Enter
To get to know inspiring entrepreneurs who have already partnered with Awethu, visit awethuproject.co.za; facebook.com/AwethuProject or @AwethuProject.