The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Corporate Social Investment office recently hosted the final pitches of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme, which was launched in 2021. The programme aims to nurture aspiring young entrepreneurs in South Africa by guiding them through the process of building sustainable businesses with the potential to grow and contribute meaningfully to local economies. It offers foundational entrepreneurial skills, mentorship and additional support to ensure the creation of viable enterprises. The CSIR partnered with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the National Mentorship Movement and CSIR alumni, who provided mentorship to the entrepreneurs.

Recently, 14 entrepreneurs presented their businesses to a panel of judges, showcasing a range of ideas across various industries, including health, digital technology and food. During the event, Andile Mabindisa, Group Executive: Human Capital and Strategic Communication, emphasised the alignment of the programme with the CSIR's mandate in his opening remarks. “The programme supports the CSIR's vision of being accelerators of socioeconomic prosperity in South Africa through leading innovation,” he stated. Mabindisa further explained that one of the key performance indicators in the Shareholder’s Compact is the number of small, medium and micro enterprises supported by the CSIR, making the programme a strategic fit for the organisation. Manyatsa Nkuthu, Senior Youth Enterprise Specialist at IDC, emphasised the importance of supporting young people in their entrepreneurial ventures. He commended the entrepreneurs for their steadfast commitment and for making it this far in the programme.

The Entrepreneurship Development Programme used various engagement modalities such as virtual sessions to develop skills and provide support to entrepreneurs. David Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Mentorship Movement, praised the programme's impact, noting its benefits not only for the young entrepreneurs but also for addressing unemployment in local communities. “I was really impressed with the quality of the businesses in the programme. I believe we have fostered a community of potentially successful entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving real issues facing young people in our country. The combination of their tenacity and innovative ideas offers truly winning solutions,” Wilson stated.

Following the presentations, the entrepreneurs were awarded certificates of participation. Currently, the programme is available to entrepreneurs in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. However, Mabindisa shared that there are plans to expand the programme to other provinces in the future.