Mastercard committed to developing women entrepreneurship
Mastercard has extended its support of the
Junior Achievement South Africa
(JA South Africa) Mini Enterprise Programme
for the sixth year, with a R1.4 million donation that sees more
than 450 learners, predominantly young women, participate in the
organisation’s flagship programme.
The Mini Enterprise Programme
guides the selected Grade 10 and 11 learners from 13 schools
across seven provinces in theory and practical sessions lasting three
hours after school, one afternoon a week for 15 weeks. Focusing on
business theory, accounting, cash flow and marketing,
the programme helps the learners to develop and market their own
product to their community, while building their interpersonal skills
and confidence.
To date, over 2,500 young South Africans, mostly
females, have benefitted from the six-year collaboration between
Mastercard and JA South Africa. Each learner has been equipped with the
skills that they need upon completing the programme
to become entrepreneurs when leaving school through this ongoing
collaboration.
“Our programme equips learners with the skills needed
to launch their own businesses, so that they can potentially employ
others one day. This mindset and knowledge foundation will help break
the cycle of unemployment faced by school leavers
that threatens the future of South Africa's youth,” says Nelly
Mofokeng, Acting Managing Director of JA South Africa.
While South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased slightly to 24.3 percent
at the end of 2014, research shows that unemployment among women is continually higher than among men. Over eighty percent of the learners in this year’s programme are young females between the ages of 15 and 17.
“Across the globe, Mastercard has been working with
our partners to empower young women, as disparities and obstacles to
equal opportunities still exist in both the developed and emerging
markets. Encouraging women to become entrepreneurs
and participate in their local communities is not only a social cause,
but has tremendous economic benefits,” says Mark Elliott, Division
President, Mastercard, South Africa. “Through our partnership with JA
South Africa, we are equipping these young women
with the skills and practical experience they need to one day open
their own business and pursue their dreams.”
Bonolo
Modise, aged 20, completed the JASA course in 2013. Since primary
school, she has run a small business called Jewellery by Noli, which
makes custom jewellery using
water pearls and African beads.
Nineteen-year
old Faith Modipa, who completed the course in 2013, says JA South
Africa has played a valuable role in building her confidence. Modipa,
who is currently studying BCom
Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria, aims to open her own
accounting practice in the future. As such, the people skills she
learnt from the programme will be invaluable to her in her career.
“Being an entrepreneur gives women a voice and we need more female entrepreneurs to move the country forward,” says Modise.
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