Evoking a spirit of entrepreneurship with SA Teens

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Feb. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- [February 2014, Cape Town] Statistics released by the Independent Examinations board late last year revealed a 98.56% matric pass rate for 2013 translating to a figure of 10 166 learners who passed and achieved tertiary study entry pass rates.

Whilst many celebrated their achievements, the start of the new school year quickly revealed a problem with capacity at institutions, personal finance and various other factors inhibiting some of these young people from pursuing tertiary study. A ripple effect of this being a rising unemployment crisis as many of these young people have no alternative other than trying to find a job to support themselves and their families or to earn money to pay for their studies.

Encouraging young people that big dreams start young is a key message that Lydia Zingoni, Founder and Director of the SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation is advocating for in response to this challenge.  Teen Entrepreneur Foundation which was started in 2010 exists for the sole aim of instilling a culture of entrepreneurship in teenagers in South Africa.

Teenagers represent more than a third of South Africa’s population. There are currently 18,5 million Teens in South Africa out of a total population of 53 Million people. Through SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation Lydia’s dream is to create entrepreneurial programs, competitions and networks that will penetrate to teenagers in all provinces within South Africa.

To encourage this train of thought, SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation hosts a breakfast series titled: “Awaken the Giant in You” where guest speakers are invited to share their practical journeys in entrepreneurship and life lessons with learners, their parents and organisations wishing to support the development of entrepreneurs.  The event will take place on Friday, 28 February 2014 at the Vineyard Hotel, Newlands at 08h30. Simon Mantell from Mantelli’s biscuits will be the keynote speaker.

Come and be inspired by his entrepreneurial journey, from small beginnings at age 13 to successful business.  Connect with like-minded individuals from government and business entities to fast track your dreams and ambitions.

The event is open to youth, their parents, teachers, community leaders, government departments, particularly those who are tasked with child development and the business community.

Tickets cost R150.00 and bookings for the breakfast can be made on-line at www.teenentrepreneur.co.za.

For more information about the breakfast contact Nadia Snyders on 021 447 6183 or nadia.snyders@teenentrepreneur.co.za.

More about SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation

SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation is a registered NPO Trust.  The vision of the Foundation is to cultivate and promote the entrepreneurial spirit in all our teenagers through seminars, workshops, conferences and exhibitions. Teen Entrepreneur main target audience is schools, Universities, Churches and Youth Centers.

The organisation is based in Cape Town facilitates engagements across the country

About Simon Mantell

Simon Mantell was born in Cape Town. He completed his tertiary education at UCT where he studied towards a B.Com and a CTA. He wrote and passed his Board Exam in 1984 and completed his articles with Price Waterhouse in 1986 – this was the only time where Simon was formally employed. His working career started in earnest in 1976 as a 13 year old when he sold mirrors door to door in what was then the new suburb of Mitchell’s Plain. After qualifying as a CA (SA) he started a car wash business with one employee and gradually built the business up before selling it.

All his ventures have been characterised by:
• Starting with no capital
• Starting small
• Building brick by brick

Simon owns a biscuit factory called Mantelli’s which manufactures premium biscuits for local and international markets. In addition, he owns a media company managing and selling media space on airlines.

Simon has a keen interest in the print media and his op-ed pieces can be read in Business Day, The Argus, The Cape Times and The Star. Simon served as a public representative on the Appeals Panel of the Press Council of South Africa from 2007 until 2012 and currently sits on the board of the Field Band Foundation.

He feels that it is critical that the youth of South Africa be allowed to dream and more importantly, they must be provided with the tools to help them realise those dreams and the discharging of this responsibility must be shared by government and private enterprise.