South African entrepreneurs selected for job-generating programme

Ten young South African entrepreneurs, including founders of technology and artificial intelligence businesses, have been selected for the National Programme for Job-Generating Entrepreneurs. Led by the global youth leadership organisation One Young World and the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, the initiative aims to connect founders aged 18 to 35 with mentors, investors, and commercial partners to foster business growth and employment creation.

While the programme does not offer direct funding, it focuses on strengthening market access and commercial relationships. The initiative is part of the legacy of the upcoming One Young World Summit in Cape Town. Participants include innovators like Junior Nkosi, who is focusing on energy storage and solar power to address South Africa’s electricity shortages and energy poverty, and Christiaan van den Berg, founder of the digital recruitment platform JOBJACK.