Victor Khanye reserves 40% of local opportunities for youth-owned businesses

DELMAS — Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) will reserve 40% of local economic opportunities for youth-owned businesses and has allocated R5 million towards SMME support programmes, Executive Mayor Vusi Buda announced during a youth business engagement held in Delmas on Wednesday, 04 June 2026.

The announcement was made during the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) Youth Business Breakfast Engagement, held as part of Youth Month under the theme Phanda Thursdays.

Buda said the municipality’s youth empowerment strategy is aimed at expanding youth participation in the local economy through structured support for small businesses.

“We want to see young people becoming business owners, employers and drivers of development within our communities,” said Buda.

He said partnerships between government, development agencies and entrepreneurs remain critical in creating opportunities and growing local businesses.

“Let us use this engagement to strengthen partnerships, inspire innovation and build a local economy that leaves no young person behind,” he said.

The event brought together representatives from MEGA, VKLM, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), South African Revenue Services (SARS), Land Bank, the South African Youth Council, the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as financial institutions including Absa and Capitec.

MEGA Funding Division General Manager Smangela Nkwinika said the engagement was designed to connect young entrepreneurs directly with funders and business support organisations.

“No one leaves here empty-handed. Talk to at least one funder, one support partner and connect with at least two other youth businesses. Your network is your net worth,” said Nkwinika.

Guest speaker and MEGA board member Noxolo Oyiya encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace leadership, innovation and ethical business practices.

“The young people of 1976 understood that the future was not something to wait for. It was something to fight for, build and shape. That is what we expect from the youth of today,” she said.

Oyiya also cautioned entrepreneurs against equating social media visibility with business success.

“Social media can make someone visible overnight, but visibility does not equal value. We need young entrepreneurs, innovators and ethical business leaders,” she said.

MEGA officials and partner institutions used the platform to present available funding, training and business support programmes while outlining eligibility requirements and application processes.

Adding to Oyiya’s message, MEGA board member Zwelo Masilela called on young entrepreneurs to demonstrate resilience and adaptability while embracing new ways of doing business, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Masilela encouraged entrepreneurs to take full advantage of government procurement opportunities, noting that government remains the biggest buyer of goods and services.

“Worldwide, government remains the biggest procurer of goods and services,” said Masilela.

He also stressed the importance of measuring the impact of business support programmes and engagements, calling for formal follow-up processes to assess how entrepreneurs benefit from such initiatives and identify areas requiring further support.

Representatives from various institutions also engaged directly with attendees on funding opportunities, compliance requirements and business development support services.

A highlight of the event was a testimony from MEGA funding beneficiary Sizwe Mtshali, director of Bonutrax, a Waste Management business based in Kriel, who shared how funding transformed his business.

Mtshali said his company received R3.5 million in funding from MEGA in 2024 to purchase an excavator after starting operations in 2016.

The investment enabled the business to secure contracts with Seriti Mines, expand its operations and grow its workforce to 20 full-time employees, with workshops now operating in Ogies and Kendal.

“I am proud to say that MEGA changed my life and the lives of my employees, my family and the people around me,” said Mtshali.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of government support programmes and stressed the importance of compliance.

“Young entrepreneurs must take programmes like this seriously because they can change your life. Compliance is one of the biggest things in business. Let’s not give up, let’s keep pushing,” he said.

The programme also featured a business pitch competition involving Xaba Media, Umasesane Projects, Ndleleni Projects, Yolk Folks, Zijwela and Zamagatsheni Projects.

Finalists received goodie bags, while MEGA sponsored a tablet for the overall winner.

Thulisile Mokoena of Zamagatsheni Projects from Ext 7 was named the winner.

“Winning this competition will help me grow my catering business and manage orders more effectively. It has motivated me to keep pushing forward and make the most of the opportunities available to young entrepreneurs,” said Mokoena.

The event concluded with a networking session where entrepreneurs engaged directly with funders, government agencies and business support organisations to explore partnerships and future opportunities.