BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI– Two young entrepreneurs are encouraging the youth to consider business ownership as an alternative to relying solely on formal employment, following financial support from the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF).
Felicia Dlamini, founder of Cakes by Felicia based in Mbabane, said young people should take advantage of opportunities to create their own businesses, particularly as employment opportunities remain difficult to secure.
Dlamini started and developed her cake business with the assistance of a E15 000 loan from YERF, which helped her invest in her entrepreneurial venture. She said young people should not wait for employment opportunities when they can use their skills to create businesses and generate income.
“Youth must be able to start their own business and not rely on being employed because it is hard to find jobs. Create one for yourself,” Dlamini said. Her business focuses on cake-making, allowing her to turn her skills into an income-generating activity while responding to demand from customers.
Another entrepreneur benefiting from YERF support is Philani Shabangu, who is involved in the sale of clothes sourced in bales from Mozambique. Shabangu received a E7 000 sponsorship from YERF, which has supported his clothing business and enabled him to continue pursuing entrepreneurship.
He said young people should remain committed to their goals despite the difficulties that may arise when starting or growing a business. “Don’t stop until you get what you want,” Shabangu said.
The experiences of Dlamini and Shabangu highlight the role of youth-focused financing in helping aspiring entrepreneurs establish and sustain small businesses. Their stories also demonstrate how young people can identify opportunities within the market and turn them into sources of income rather than waiting for formal employment.
YERF provides financial support to young entrepreneurs seeking to establish or grow businesses, giving them an opportunity to participate in economic activity. For Dlamini and Shabangu, the assistance has provided capital to pursue their respective businesses, while their experiences offer a practical example of how young people can use available opportunities to build their own livelihoods.
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