New look at youth-oriented businesses

30 Aug, 2019 - 00:08 0 Views

eBusiness Weekly

It is now widely acknowledged that youth unemployment is very high in sub-Sahara Africa. The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) points to some staggering statistics on youth unemployment within the continent. The Foundation, notes that, out of 420 million youths in Africa aged between15-35, one third are unemployed while another third are employed vulnerably.

In Zimbabwe, the statistics are not encouraging either, and the high rates of unemployed graduates testify to the country’s predicament. However, the Zimbabwe government has made inroads in terms of introducing entrepreneurship modules in colleges and universities.

Research conducted, by Southern Africa Development Consultants (SODECO), revealed interesting trends on youth entrepreneurship among recent graduates.

The research revealed that, recent male graduates were mostly likely to venture into Information Technology (IT) related businesses. Selling cell-phone accessories and repairing cell phones was also seen as low cost start up business that was favoured by graduates.

Some youths would consider delving into agriculture “provided they had the resources”.

However, it was worrisome to note that recent graduates only ventured into business “while still waiting to be called for a job”.  Female graduates were more inclined to wait for a job, or pursue another qualification than start a business.

However, some graduates have taken the risk and started their own businesses. This article celebrates these young men and women who inspire us all.

Ruby Mhundwa, is the consummate photographer and the owner of Good Shot Productions, a registered production company in Zimbabwe. After completing her Arts and Film degree at Midlands State University, she went to study for a one year Master’s degree in Photography in China.

Rubi says: “Instead of buying weaves and clothing” like what most girls do, she saved all her “pennies” to buy state of the art camera and video equipment. She also acquired start-up funds through making pies and growing spinach and selling these at her local shopping centre in Sunningdale.

Her hard labour is paying off, as she is constantly booked for functions and is working with the large institutions such as the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Calvin Tome another photographer, and owner of McTom Media, started out by hiring photographic equipment to use in his business, resulting in low profit volumes.

However, through grit and perseverance, he now owns his own equipment, and counts government departments, corporates and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as his clients.

Videography is another firm business favourite with youths. Simon Manjoro, is co-owner at Digital Genius, a company specialising in Cinematography and Videography. What started as a hobby at high school, using an old camera has grown into a lucrative business with a regional footprint.

The company was nominated for the 2019 best videography award by the Events industry Body. Simon’s advice to youths is – “be yourself and love what you do.’

Graphic Designing, is quite a big industry in Zimbabwe. Globally, this industry is worth an estimated US$44 billion, according to Tatiana Protaso who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Perigee AB, an IT company based in Sweden.

Though the industry has declined marginally, due to a drop in the print media and online graphic design tools, companies are still willing to pay premium prices for professional graphic designing services. Tanaka Murerwa, a recent graduate from Africa University and owner at MT Designs, augments his graphic design business through offering corporate branding services as well. Though MT Designs is still in its start-up phase, he is determined to grow and become a force to reckon with in the market.

Simbarashe Newengo, is an Application Developer. A Business Management graduate from Monash University, he decided to venture into App Development after he could not find a job within his field of study. And this business is lucrative too. The 2017, U.S Mobile App Report reveals that, mobile apps account for 57 percent of all digital media usage.

A Very close “relative” of App Development is Software Development. Svetu is a Software Development start-up company, founded by three recent graduates; Gwinyai Chakonda, Tinashe Zikati and Calvin Rupango. After winning the NetOne Hackathon, these young men directed their prize money to starting Svetu.

According to Calvin, the company is “pivoted as the software development institution that builds tailor-made solutions using non-conformist approaches to solve local problems that bring a sense of pride to Africa” (Uuuumh yeh yeh, we get it guys you are very Afrocentric)

Selling cell phone accessories and repairing cell phones is also very important business that youths are involved in. Youths interviewed in the Copacabana area indicated that it had high returns provided one kept with trends and provided a good service. It is interesting to note that most youths in this industry are self-taught.

I found three young women making waves within the beverage, jewellery and beauty industries. Faith Chimbiko, a holder of BSC in Science and Food Science, from the University of Venda was waiting to do her Master’s Degree and decided to keep off her “boredom” by using her knowledge to creating Snack Attack, a baobab based delicious fruit juice. She has since diversified her product line by manufacturing Cordial drinks and has penetrated markets in all major cities in the country.

Tilda Magoba and Paulla Chinogara are the founders of TeePe, a jewellery making concern. After entering and failing to qualify in a local youth entrepreneurial competition, they still believed in their product and decided “to go for it anyway”.

Today their mostly male clients are assured of a “swanky look” when they wear their jewellery. Rudo Nyakanda has recently graduated from St Olaf College in the United States with, a major in Cyber Security. Well, these days Rudo has decided to ‘secure the African woman’s lips” by developing a lipstick brand aptly called Chocnoire (Yum Yum). According to Rudo, her niche, is dark skinned women “because most lipstick don’t flatter black women skin tones” since they are designed for lighter women. We are waiting for the launch in February 2020.

Some “daredevils” like Tanatswa Chakonda, Victor Mapunga and Nyasha Mukwakwami, co-owners of Sambiri Foods have had the courage, to enter into the food manufacturing business, traditionally renowned for its high start-up and operational costs.

This company’s main food product, is an instant sorghum based breakfast cereal developed by Nyasha, a graduate from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). In addition the company develops unique food products from indigenous grains. This model is helping to sustain rural communities with a ready market for their produce.

Against all odds more youths are venturing into the agricultural sector. Anesu & Sam Hove, Tonderayi Mwaiana and Humphrey Wamambo are co-founders of Anleger Pvt Limited, a company that assists rural farmers in Nyanga to find markets for their produce.

Anesu was inspired by old grannies who were producing quality fresh produce but had no place to sell their produce.

Ruramiso Mashumba, is a young agripreneur from Marondera and current National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union Young farmers Club. She inherited a farm from her parents and has successfully broken into the export market through exporting snap peas to Europe. She is also the founder of Mnandi Organic brand. Ruramiso is further pursuing agricultural studies in the United States of America.

The Entertainment industry has “rich pickings” for creative and innovative youths.  Able Dzobo, the founder of Hela TV, says that he created his company to conscietise the public on health issues. His partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare has seen Hela TV broadcasting health messages to health institutions across the country.

A number of youths are also venturing into choreography (Very good one this. Imagine the number of new suits you will have every year).

Being a Disc Jockey (DJ), is yet another lucrative business one can venture into, provided one knows their niche market. (Calvin Harris the world’s highest paid DJ is worth about US$190 million)

Youths currently in colleges or who have recently graduated can borrow a leaf from the young entrepreneurs profiled above. Mark Zuckerberg started developing Facebook while still at Harvard. He is worth US$56 billion. Need I say more!!!

Joseline Sithole-Founder Southern Africa Development Consultants (SODECO) an SME Consultancy Concern. For feedback write to [email protected]

 

 

 

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