South African Students with Entrepreneurial Minds: A Powerhouse Against Unemployment

Alright, so what about the unemployment issue in South Africa? Isn’t it a little scary? We’re all putting in a lot of effort at university in the hopes of having a bright future, but when you see those figures, you’re like, “Whoa.” To be honest, though, I believe that as students, we have far more power than we think to truly take action. We have the ability to generate jobs rather than merely waiting for them.
Think about it – we’re surrounded by ideas. Lectures, projects, even just hanging out with friends sparks new thoughts. And we see problems everywhere! Like, the cafeteria food is always cold, or the library’s Wi-Fi is a nightmare. Those aren’t just annoyances, they’re opportunities. Someone could totally start a food delivery service for students, or develop an app that actually connects to the university’s network. Seriously, the possibilities are unlimited.

The best part is that we have access to resources. University is like a huge incubator for creative concepts; it’s not just lectures. We have knowledgeable instructors, information-rich libraries, and even entrepreneurship-focused programs at some universities. They will educate you how to present your idea, build a business strategy, and other things. They seem to be pleading with us to begin something!
Plus, we’re the tech generation. We practically breathe technology. Coding, apps, social media – it’s all second nature to us. We can use that to build amazing things, connect with people, and reach markets way beyond our campus. Like, imagine developing an app that connects students with part-time jobs, or creating a platform for student artists to sell their work. We have the skills, we just need to use them.

What’s also awesome is the student community itself. We’re all in this together. We can team up with friends who have different skills, bounce ideas off each other, and build something amazing. And don’t forget about the alumni network! They’ve been where we are, and many are super successful. Reaching out to them for advice or mentorship can be a game-changer.

Look, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. Balancing studies and a business is tough. Finding funding is a pain. And sometimes you just feel like giving up. But if we can support each other, share our knowledge, and just go for it, we can make a real difference. We can create our own opportunities, create jobs for our friends, and actually contribute to fixing this unemployment mess. It’s time to stop complaining and start doing. We have the potential to be the generation that changes things, one student business at a time. Let’s do this!

– Lucky Mulalo, Campus Ambassador