PRESS RELEASE

 

6 October 2021

 

NEASA ENGAGES IN NATIONAL YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP DRIVE

 

Om die Afrikaanse weergawe te lees, klik hier

 

The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA), has partnered with a specialist service provider to create entrepreneurship opportunities for the unemployed youth. The initiative, in the form of learnerships, will benefit both employers and the unemployed youth, and offers tax-paying businesses the opportunity to make a meaningful social impact in their local community.

 

The initiative will enable qualifying unemployed young people between 18 and 28 to become self-sufficient through starting their own businesses. Companies can fund this initiative by utilising their available tax rebates. The management of all aspects of the learnerships and the financial compliance administration will be handled by a skilled and experienced team of the service provider.

 

Mr Gerhard Papenfus, Chief Executive of NEASA, says Government’s solution to the unemployment crisis, namely the paying of grants, is unsustainable.

 

“South Africa’s official unemployment rate currently stands at 34.4%, with the expanded unemployment rate at approximately 44%. The unemployment rate of the youth, which includes people between 18 and 34 years old, is 65%. This poses severe socio-economic challenges that are already resulting in political instability. The initiative is a sustainable and tax-beneficial solution and will ensure the appropriate application of taxes. This learnership will empower unemployed individuals to earn a monthly stipend and to receive seed-capital for their ventures,” he said.

 

South Africa simply does not create sufficient job opportunities to accommodate the youth and entrepreneurship is the only solution to address this crisis and grow the economy. NEASA, therefore, encourages interested employers to utilise this opportunity to positively impact their local community and can email info@neasa.co.za to participate in this initiative.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

JEANNE BOSHOFF

NEASA MEDIA LIAISON

083 455 7298

media@neasa.co.za