An exploration of the challenges facing youth owned small enterprises in Imizamu Yethu and Hangberg, Hout Bay

This study explored the challenges facing youth owned enterprises in the Hout Bay communities of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg. A purposive sample of seventeen young enterprise owners and three key informants that offer support to the youth, were interviewed. Interviews were conducted with the aid of a semi structured interview schedule. The findings of the qualitative study conducted revealed that businesses owned by the youth face multi challenges that constrain their viability. The key findings of the study revealed that: the young enterprise owners have long term aspirations of growing their businesses beyond the current operations. A conducive environment is therefore important to support these aspirations. The participants identified lack of finances, crime, lack of skills, competition and a lack of appropriate infrastructure as some of the major impediments to the growth of their businesses. In addition, there was general consensus among the youth that the low income of their communities reduces their capacity to boost revenue from their businesses. The findings revealed that all young participants finance their businesses, with additional finances, coming from family and friends. Although there are support programmes in place available to the youth, an overwhelming number of the young enterprise owners were unaware of these programmes available from the government, private sector and Non Governmental Organisations. The key recommendations are that: Intensive awareness-raising programmes aimed at increasing the information and agency of the youth entrepreneurs should be put in place. In addition, role players such as the government, private sector and NGOs should play complimentary roles in addressing the challenges facing young enterprise owners to smoothen their transition to independence.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Ndlovu, Samkelo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Booyens, MG

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13175

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13175