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The DBF22 Empowerment Activites Impactful to The Business Community
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Date: 2021-10-04 04:49:29

The DBF22 Empowerment Activites Impactful to The Business Community

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

25 SEPTEMBER 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The #DBF22 Empowerment Activites Impactful to The Business Community

YOUNG people have been encouraged to embrace continuous learning, innovation, technology and diversification in order to stand a better chance of success in business. 

This emerged during the powerful Youth Business Connect dialogue held in Durban today, 25 September as part of the weeklong 22nd Durban Business Fair empowerment seminars held on digital platforms.

During the youth dialogue themed ‘Integrate to Innovate: Not All is Lost’, Themba Nkosi, property entrepreneur and music producer popularly known as ‘Dj Euphonik, Mandisa Mpeko of Global Shapers, actress and entrepreneur Phindile Gwala as well as Carol Bouwer, TV producer and businesswoman indeed delivered to the City’s vision of encouraging an innovative future generation. 

Gwala said the pandemic presented her with a chance to explore gaps in the market and branched to a transport business. 

Bouwer applauded the City for organising such platforms to develop youth in business and the business community at large. She said youth must always be ready to innovate and treat every circumstance as an opportunity. She also urged young people to learn as much as they can to stay informed and be ahead as well as to embrace technology. “It’s true, knowledge is power and can open many doors.”

Dj Euphonik said diversifying his business interests helped him survive the lockdown period. “Young people, you must read to stay informed so that you know what is on demand and expand. Once your business takes off, look for other opportunities in order to have different streams of income.”

Mpeko advised young people to be open to collaborations and investments in order to grow. She also stated that youth need to be true to themselves as the first step to success is hard work. “Good things do not fall from the tree.”

The youth seminar was the last of the weeklong DBF empowerment sessions. During the two-day business engagements held on 22 and 23 September, entrepreneurs engaged on a robust dialogue around the topic of innovation and navigating a rapidly changing business landscape as a result of Covid-19. 

One of the panellists from day one, businessman Sibusiso Leope, popularly known as DJ Sbu said, creativity is key in order to take advantage of opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution. “Don’t be afraid to be a risk taker and have a long-term vision when you start a business. A number of businesses collapsed during the pandemic because they could not adapt to the changing environment.”

During day two, entrepreneurs were equipped with knowledge on crisis marketing and finding opportunities after Covid-19. 

They were empowered on how to rethink and approach such circumstance to avoid shutting down their businesses. 

Sphelele Mjadu, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at Unilever urged emerging entrepreneurs to be on the lookout for brands that want to help them grow. 

“It is your responsibility as a business owner to search for information that will grow your establishment. Times are changing, traditional forms of marketing and the introduction of social media gave birth to influencers which are now mostly utilised for marketing campaigns.”

Mjadu emphasized the importance of understanding consumers and their needs in order to develop campaigns that speak to them and cater to their needs. “The lockdown forced us to rethink and recreate our marketing campaigns and indeed we switched our messaging.”

EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said: “This is us delivering on our commitment to continue empowering our business community with relevant business information as the corporate sphere is forever changing and to facilitate access to markets.”

Meanwhile, in a continuous bid by the Municipality to support small businesses, the ‘Pitch My Business Idea’ competition commenced today and will close at midnight on 27 September. Presented by eThekwini Municipality with various stakeholders, the competition aims to take small business to a next level through Business Coaching, Enterprise Development and a Mentorship Programme to name a few. To enter, visit the Gagasi FM Facebook page. 

ENDS

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Acting Head of Communication Mandla Nsele. For media enquiries contact Municipality’s Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220