Awareness and utilisation of small enterprise support programmes by unemployed youth : the case of Mankweng Township, Limpopo Province

Abstract

This report focused on investigating the awareness and utilisation of government programme for development and support of SMMEs. The study acknowledges the fact that youth participation in entrepreneurial activities can reduce the high number of unemployment in the country and can contribute in the economy of especially rural areas. This was a qualitative study conducted in Mankweng area in Limpopo and the focus group was the youth who have post-matric qualifications. The sample consisted of fifteen graduates, of ages 25 to 35, who were not working and actively looking for employment. Male participants in the study formed 33 per cent, while the female participants were at 67 per cent. The main findings were that only a few of the participants were aware of the available government support programmes. Of those that were aware, many were unsure about how to access these programmes while others did not even think about starting their own businesses. The study recommends that these programmes ought to be accessible to the local government and should form part of the developmental programme of municipalities to ensure greater awareness and utilisation; and that youth need to be encouraged to start thinking more about starting their own businesses as an alternative to formal employment