Rehoboth, June 30 — On Thursday, June 20th , the vibrant town of Rehoboth buzzed with excitement as the
Rehoboth Youth Entrepreneurship Enhancement Conference unfolded, drawing youth from
all corners of the community, delegates from institutions such as the Ministry of Youth,
Sports and Culture, the National Youth Council and delegates from the Rehoboth Town
Council led by the Mayor, Her Worship. Madam Amanda Groendewald. This pivotal event,
aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering an entrepreneurship culture, was
marked by the presence of the Honorable Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and National
Service, Dr. Emma Kantema-Gaomas, who delivered an inspiring keynote address in which
she emphasized that “ …as we look around us, we see a generation brimming with
creativity, energy, and a fierce determination to carve their own path in the world of
business. Entrepreneurship is not just a trend; it is a powerful force driving economic growth
and social change. In Namibia, young entrepreneurs are making significant strides,
contributing to job creation, innovation, and economic development.”
A highlight of the conference was the official launch of the Rehoboth Business Box, founded
by the visionary founder of Business Box Namibia, Mr. Etienne Raymond who shared that,”
our programs are designed to be practical and facilitative, ensuring that participants
develop the necessary skills and competencies to thrive in today’s dynamic business
environment. Through our innovative methodology, grounded in neuroscience principles,
the youth are empowered to transform their thinking and behaviour, thus unlocking their
full potential’’. The Business Box initiative is designed to support and nurture young
entrepreneurs. By fostering this mind-set, individuals are not only equipped to generate
innovation, impact and value but also to make significant contributions to the overarching
prosperity of their communities and the nation at large.
Among the speakers and facilitators at the event, Ms. Eugenia Jantjies, the dedicated
coordinator of the Rehoboth Business Box, and Mr. Abed Nakalenga, a distinguished
business man, played a crucial role in the event, guiding the participants through various
capacity-building activities. These sessions focused on self-employability skills and strategies
to navigate the challenges faced by start-ups and youth-owned small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). When asked, Ms. Eugenia Jantjies highlighted that, ‘’our mission is to
provide the youth in entrepreneurship, with the indispensable knowledge, tools, skills and
resources required to excel and position their businesses to be sustainable and investor
ready. This is to cultivate substantial value addition in today’s fiercely competitive business
landscape’’.
The conference was well attended, with many young individuals eager to learn and grow,
Through interactive engagements and insightful discussions, participants gained valuable
insights into creating employment opportunities and sustaining their ventures in a
challenging business landscape.
Overall, the Rehoboth Youth Entrepreneurship Enhancement conference was a resounding
success, igniting a spark of entrepreneurship among Rehoboth’s youth and equipping them
with the skills and confidence needed to build a prosperous future.
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