South Africa is a country of contrasts – those who have and those who don’t. For many families living in poverty, survival is a daily battle. With unemployment high and child-led households a harsh reality, countless learners face limited opportunities and bleak futures.
One individual who has walked this path and is now determined to change that narrative is Entrepreneur and Business Strategist, Vinesh Maharaj, who was born and raised poor, in the ghettos of the Cape Flats in Cape Town where drugs and gangsterism were daily realities.From humble beginnings on the streets of Cape Town to the bustling boardrooms of Sandton, Maharaj has dedicated his life to helping businesses explode their revenue. His approach is built on challenging conventional thinking, shifting mindsets, setting new standards, and inspiring unstoppable sales skills that deliver results.
Having experienced firsthand the struggles of “borrowing food” and surviving without, he understands the cycle of poverty that often leads to crime, gangsterism, or substance abuse. Today, he is channelling his experience into creating opportunities for children to break free from those limitations.
In partnership with Zodiac Primary School in Lenasia – an underprivileged school where the state provides two daily meals to ensure learners are nourished – the “Entrepreneur Of The Year” competition has been launched for Grade 7 learners. The initiative equips learners with essential entrepreneurial skills, including: Sales and marketing, inventory management and procurement, cashflow, pricing, and profit principles.
Learners develop a one-page business plan, receive seed funding, and are paired with a mentor to guide them in turning their ideas into real businesses. Over the course of the programme, they are supported in generating revenue, learning accountability, communication, and problem-solving skills.
“This is about putting their destiny in their own hands – not in the hands of society or government. If every individual took on one small project like this, together we could change the trajectory of countless young lives,” said the founder of the programme.
Winners of the competition will receive prizes to further fuel their entrepreneurial journey, including smartphones, laptops, and cash to reinvest into their businesses. The long-term goal is clear: self-sustainability, job creation, and hope.
By nurturing entrepreneurship at a young age, this initiative offers learners more than a chance to dream – it provides them with the tools to build a future where they can thrive, not just survive.
Images: Supplied
