Tag: entrepreneurship

In South Africa, youth unemployment is a serious problem. Currently, 49.9 percent of young people are without work. This is deeply concerning, especially considering that the youth are the future of our economy. As much as we need the government and private sector to support young people, we also have the power to drive change ourselves.

Ten years after her ground-breaking book Rough Diamond inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, the author returns with Rough Diamond II: Lessons from the Road Less Travelled. This is an unfiltered reflection on resilience, mentorship, business survival and the personal costs of chasing success.

Dedicated to supporting small businesses, I have been reflecting on two decades of change since 2005. What do small business owners, and mentors require in 2025 to thrive? What do future-proof business look like, and how can we ensure our programs remain both timely and relevant in an ever-accelerating world?

Oh, look… Another one of those books about ‘rules’. Joy. Except that this one may be the defining factor that separates your dream from the reality it could be. Many of us have succeeded at being an entrepreneur. Many, many more have failed. Which side of that would you rather be on?

This book is written for those aspiring entrepreneurs who ‘started at a minus’ but are hungry to make their mark on the world. Its message is clear: with the right mindset, anyone can tackle the challenges they are presented with and be successful. The truth is, those tough moments teach us the most, and the lessons learned are what shape our future.

There is a pervasive myth that entrepreneurship cannot be taught. If you were not born an entrepreneur, you are out of luck. If you are a born entrepreneur, success is presumed to come naturally. Both ideas are problematic. If entrepreneurship means setting up a business and taking financial risks to realise profit, it is teachable.

In the business world, nothing stays the same for long. This makes an entrepreneurial mindset not just helpful, but essential. So what does it take? How can eager entrepreneurs tackle the complexities of the modern market and come out stronger? Having walked this path myself, I know the road to success is rocky and rarely straightforward. But I have found it's this unpredictability that best hones the skills and fuels ambition. 

The solution to youth unemployment and the skills crisis lies in upskilling and empowering youth with future digital skills. Relevant digital skills should be developed before they enter the workplace. ICT certifications alone are not enough to meet the rate of change in the workplace. They also cannot secure sustainable job creation. South African companies hiring young people with practical skills will succeed. These skills should meet current and future business demands.

Internationally, 75% of startups consider partnerships with corporates critically important to their success, with a further 63% anticipating that these relationships will gain even greater importance in the future. In South Africa, however, corporates’ support for entrepreneurs is lacking and must be urgently remedied by the country’s businesses.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to supercharge every aspect of business and society, South Africa stands at a critical juncture. Rather than fearing job displacement, we can harness AI to drive widespread growth and prosperity. By fostering local innovation, investing in AI education, and creating a conducive regulatory environment, we can empower citizens and businesses alike.