An assessment of entrepreneurial potential amongst grade nine learners in the Zebediela area of the Limpopo Province

Abstract

This study focused on finding out whether or not the grade nine learners in the Zebediela area displayed an entrepreneurial potential. The main purpose was that those learners with entrepreneurial potential would be considered for appropriate training so that at the end they would contribute positively towards the economic development and growth of the community, province and country. The population consisted of 2 693 learners from 35 secondary schools in the Zebediela area. The sample of 45 respondents (learners) from a total of 658 grade nine learners was drawn from nine secondary schools. The respondents filled in the General Enterprising Tendencies (GET) questionnaire each (to assess five elements such as the need for achievement, the need for autonomy, a creative tendency, moderate risk-taking , as well as drive and determination) and also took part in a group and structured interview. This study discovered that the respondents indeed showed the entrepreneurial potential and therefore, the strategies were recommended in the last chapter in order to nurture this potential.