Ward Councillor Unveils Next Phase of Youth Programme

Ward Councillor Asanda Sizani says a two-year partnership with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is now moving to the next phase, with youth trained in agriculture set to be incubated as small businesses to fight poverty in the community.

The initiative comes as South Africa’s official youth unemployment rate sits at 40.4% for ages 15-34 in Q1 2026, according to Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey. In the Eastern Cape the rate is even higher, making skills and SME development a key priority.

Speaking to Komani News, Sizani said the partnership was launched two years ago to incubate SMEs and aspiring young people in business, both formal and informal.

“Our Partnership is to ensure, we incubate SMEs and aspiring young people in the business space whether formal or informal,” she said.

He said a number of youth were trained in agricultural activities through Dicla Farming with support from the UIF. Now, with training complete, the focus shifts to business development.

“We had a number of them trained in Agricultural activities with Dicla farming through UIF and now we believe the time is right to embark with them in a business journey,” Sizani said.

WSU students will assist the trainees by drafting business plans. “They will be assisted by students drafting their business plan. This also helps students to learn how to establish and grow business,” he added.

Sizani said the initiative aligns with global development targets. “Our major focus is to help my community achieve United Nations goals,” he said.

The programme targets both formally registered businesses and informal enterprises to expand economic opportunities for Ilinge youth.