Afribiz Invest founder Collen Mashawana on tackling youth unemployment

Founder and Executive Chairman of Afribiz Invest, Collen Mashawana, recently shared his insights on tackling youth unemployment in South Africa during a CNBC Africa interview. Mashawana emphasized the importance of creating more small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and supporting entrepreneurs to generate more job opportunities in the market. He highlighted the need for collective efforts from the government, private sector, and the public sector to address the unemployment crisis effectively. Despite his success in supporting young people through his ventures, Mashawana stressed the importance of commitment from the private sector to empower and employ the youth. Mashawana addressed the issue of holding back entrepreneurs like himself in contributing more to employment in South Africa. He identified commitment as a key element lacking in the private sector, emphasizing the need for a genuine commitment to creating job opportunities for the youth. Mashawana believes that empowering and employing young people should come from within, rather than being enforced by legislation or contract clauses. He expressed optimism about the infrastructure fund announced by the president in his stimulus plan, expecting tangible results from the government's commitment to infrastructure development. The conversation with Mashawana shed light on the crucial role of entrepreneurship and job creation in combating youth unemployment, with a focus on collaboration between different sectors to drive positive change in the economy. Mashawana's insights underscored the need for a holistic approach to address the root causes of unemployment and empower the youth with sustainable opportunities. In conclusion, Collen Mashawana's advocacy for creating a conducive environment for SMMEs and entrepreneurs to thrive reflects a proactive stance in tackling the youth unemployment crisis. His call for a genuine commitment from the private sector and government to drive job creation initiatives highlights the potential for positive change in the employment landscape of South Africa.