Youth entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation in Kentane

• Main Author: Potwana, Viwe
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2017
• Subjects: Economic development > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Entrepreneurship > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Young adults > Employment > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Youth development > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Poverty > South Africa > Eastern Cape
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19850

The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of the youth in Kentane with respect to the role that a entrepreneurship plays in alleviation poverty, with the intention to enhance recommendations to the local municipality, the private sector and governmental departments. The study focused on entrepreneurship as one of the strategies that is deemed capable of reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of the entrepreneurial youth, where permission was attained from the youth prior to the commencement of the study. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit participants and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using steps outlined in Creswell (2003). Five main themes were identified during data analysis where the main finding was that there was a lack of knowledge and resources to broaden the scope of youth based businesses in the area. Another major finding from this study was the introduction and imposition of haphazard short-term projects aimed at alleviating poverty that often failed as they did not address the needs specific to the community. Youth of Kentane are dedicated as entrepreneurs; however, they need the collaboration of interested parties and stakeholders to realise their respective potentials. Developmental and training programmes are crucial to assist the entrepreneurial youth of Kentane.