Qoq’ uMntwana Foundation Empowers Mogale City Youth through Business Skills Orientation
Thabo Motlhabi
Qoq’uMntwana Foundation, led by Esther Mbobo and her team, recently hosted a successful Business Skills Orientation programme aimed at engineering young people of Mogale City. Held at Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
The organisation team includes:
* Mbuso Bavuma – Chairperson
* Pemla – Secretary
* Esther Mbobo – Treasure
* Precious Majova – Organiser
The initiative sought to equip, inform and empower young people with knowledge about business opportunities, entrepreneurship, funding and skill development. The foundation encouraged participants to consider entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic participation, particularly in light of the high levels of youth unemployment.
The programme focused on providing practical information about starting businesses, developing business skills, and accessing available funds and training opportunities. According to the foundation, many young people struggle to participate meaningfully in the socio-economic development of their communities because of limited access to skills, information and development opportunities.
The campaign seeks to contribute to addressing the long-term economic disadvantage created during the apartheid era. With the advent of democracy, many South Africans, particularly young Black people, gain new opportunities and hope for economic advancement. The initiative aimed to build on that progress by educating and empowering young people to become active participants in the economy.
As the organiser of the Foundation, Esther Mbobo highlighted the importance of collaboration with NYDA in addressing youth unemployment and skills shortages:
“Qoq’uMntwana ‘Mind a Child’ Foundation is calling on all the disadvantaged youth and unemployed graduates in the West Rand region to heed the call in order to take over their township economy and beyond.”
The foundation’s goal is to provide young people in the whole of West Rand with business knowledge and skills that can help them establish and grow enterprise, contribute to the local economy and create opportunities within their communities.
As a participant, Otshepeng Korae expressed her gratitude for taking part and gaining business knowledge.
“I have gained more knowledge on how to run a business, how marketing works, where to apply for funding, how to manage your business finances and how to expand my brands to grow and create employment opportunities for other young people in the region of West Rand. This was informative and impactful to us, and we look forward to the next session of empowerment.”
At the conclusion of the campaign, participants had an opportunity to engage directly with the facilitator and receive information about business opportunities, funding and training programmes available at NYDA.