Mastercard invites female entrepreneurs to apply and turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality
Johannesburg, 30 January 2018 – Are you an ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Mastercard invites you to turn your aspirations into a reality by applying to take part in the JA South Africa Youth Enterprise Development Programme. Open to unemployed or self-employed out-of-school women, aged 18 – 35, the programme will empower you to pursue your entrepreneurial vision.
JA South Africa will select 260 applicants to take part in a 20-week entrepreneurial and financial literacy programme that commences at community centres around Gauteng, Western Cape and Limpopo in mid-February 2018.
Budding entrepreneurs and those wanting to grow their business will learn about business theory, market research, financial and business management, sales and marketing, in theoretical and practical sessions held two afternoons a week. Lessons in basic computer literacy will be provided by Siyafunda.
Graduates from the programme receive a NQF level 4 Services Seta Accredited Youth Enterprise Development Certificate, an Intel Learn Easy Steps Digital Literacy Certificate, and an opportunity to participate in a six-month mentorship programme, which will provide them with additional business support while they start formal enterprises.
“The importance of developing an entrepreneurship culture and empowering South Africa’s youth is pivotal in helping young people towards economic and financial independence,” says Nelly Mofokeng, Managing Director at JA South Africa.
According to the latest Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, women account for only 19.1 percent of business owners in South Africa, and have a low rate of entrepreneurial activity, with only seven percent of working age women in the labour force engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activities compared to 11.6 percent for men.
“Helping women entrepreneurs to realise their business ideas and enabling them to participate in the economy are the keys to growth and prosperity in South Africa,” says Mark Elliott, Division President for Mastercard Southern Africa. “We’re supporting this initiative because of its proven success in empowering young women with the fundamental skills to develop their ideas into sustainable businesses.”
The programme is being run in the following six community centres:
Gauteng
Ivory Park
Riendzo Development Centre (@riendzo on Facebook)
8712 Freedom Drive Ivory Park Fire station, 1685
Ishmael Sephiri 083 660 2119 / 011 051 8801
Olievenhoutbosch
Olievenhout Development Association (olievendevass.org.za/)
Ingrid Ramabu 082 972 9260
Palmridge
SiyafundaCTC, Palmridge, Ekurhuleni (www.siyafundactc.org.za)
72 Celtis Street, Palmridge, 1458
Themba Itimu /Faiza Xaba 071 842 5079 / 082 947 8177
Heidelberg
Lesedi Coaching and Development
2 Madagascar Street in the new Obed Nkosi Section in Ratanda Heidelberg, 1441
Sarah Mahlaba 076 794 9563
Limpopo (near Polokwane)
Ga-Matlala Setumeng Vexospark (vexospark.co.za)
Ga-Matlala Setumeng Section
Moremi Sello 079 380 8282
Western Cape (Cape Town)
Mfuleni
Mfuleni Development Centre
6686 T Tokwana road, Ext 6, Mfuleni
Muneer Letlala 072 918 4935
Applicants can contact the facilitators to pick up application forms from the community centres or visit www.jasa.org.za for more information.
Criteria for entry:
ENDS.
About JA South Africa
Junior Achievement South Africa (JA South Africa) is a non-profit organisation affiliated to JA Worldwide (www.jaworldwide.org), one of the largest business education organisations in the world, operating in over 120 countries. For the past 39 years, JA South Africa has provided essential entrepreneurial and financial literacy programmes to young people of all ages across the country, in both rural and urban environments. JA’s unique, experiential programmes ignite the spark in young people to experience and realise the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.
About Mastercard
MasterCard, (NSYE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MasterCardMEA and @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Birgit Deibele, 071 464 0983
birgit.deibele@mastercard.com
Johannesburg, 30 January 2018 – Are you an ambitious young woman with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Mastercard invites you to turn your aspirations into a reality by applying to take part in the JA South Africa Youth Enterprise Development Programme. Open to unemployed or self-employed out-of-school women, aged 18 – 35, the programme will empower you to pursue your entrepreneurial vision.
JA South Africa will select 260 applicants to take part in a 20-week entrepreneurial and financial literacy programme that commences at community centres around Gauteng, Western Cape and Limpopo in mid-February 2018.
Budding entrepreneurs and those wanting to grow their business will learn about business theory, market research, financial and business management, sales and marketing, in theoretical and practical sessions held two afternoons a week. Lessons in basic computer literacy will be provided by Siyafunda.
Graduates from the programme receive a NQF level 4 Services Seta Accredited Youth Enterprise Development Certificate, an Intel Learn Easy Steps Digital Literacy Certificate, and an opportunity to participate in a six-month mentorship programme, which will provide them with additional business support while they start formal enterprises.
“The importance of developing an entrepreneurship culture and empowering South Africa’s youth is pivotal in helping young people towards economic and financial independence,” says Nelly Mofokeng, Managing Director at JA South Africa.
According to the latest Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, women account for only 19.1 percent of business owners in South Africa, and have a low rate of entrepreneurial activity, with only seven percent of working age women in the labour force engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activities compared to 11.6 percent for men.
“Helping women entrepreneurs to realise their business ideas and enabling them to participate in the economy are the keys to growth and prosperity in South Africa,” says Mark Elliott, Division President for Mastercard Southern Africa. “We’re supporting this initiative because of its proven success in empowering young women with the fundamental skills to develop their ideas into sustainable businesses.”
The programme is being run in the following six community centres:
Gauteng
Ivory Park
Riendzo Development Centre (@riendzo on Facebook)
8712 Freedom Drive Ivory Park Fire station, 1685
Ishmael Sephiri 083 660 2119 / 011 051 8801
Olievenhoutbosch
Olievenhout Development Association (olievendevass.org.za/)
Ingrid Ramabu 082 972 9260
Palmridge
SiyafundaCTC, Palmridge, Ekurhuleni (www.siyafundactc.org.za)
72 Celtis Street, Palmridge, 1458
Themba Itimu /Faiza Xaba 071 842 5079 / 082 947 8177
Heidelberg
Lesedi Coaching and Development
2 Madagascar Street in the new Obed Nkosi Section in Ratanda Heidelberg, 1441
Sarah Mahlaba 076 794 9563
Limpopo (near Polokwane)
Ga-Matlala Setumeng Vexospark (vexospark.co.za)
Ga-Matlala Setumeng Section
Moremi Sello 079 380 8282
Western Cape (Cape Town)
Mfuleni
Mfuleni Development Centre
6686 T Tokwana road, Ext 6, Mfuleni
Muneer Letlala 072 918 4935
Applicants can contact the facilitators to pick up application forms from the community centres or visit www.jasa.org.za for more information.
Criteria for entry:
- You must be a female between the ages of 18 and 35 to participate in the programme
- You must have at least a Grade 10 education and upwards
- You must be able to read and write in English
ENDS.
About JA South Africa
Junior Achievement South Africa (JA South Africa) is a non-profit organisation affiliated to JA Worldwide (www.jaworldwide.org), one of the largest business education organisations in the world, operating in over 120 countries. For the past 39 years, JA South Africa has provided essential entrepreneurial and financial literacy programmes to young people of all ages across the country, in both rural and urban environments. JA’s unique, experiential programmes ignite the spark in young people to experience and realise the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.
About Mastercard
MasterCard, (NSYE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MasterCardMEA and @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Birgit Deibele, 071 464 0983
birgit.deibele@mastercard.com
