WESSA Annual Review: 2022-2023

Training and Inspiring the Next Generation of Agri-entrepreneurs.

We proudly showcase our transformative projects, dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and employment opportunities for our youth

systems in their communities. Starting in early 2022, twenty youth (ambassadors) have been employed and capacitated with knowledge, education and skills to foster sustainable innovation. They were selected from the following communities: Madlankala (Madlankala Eco-Hub), Nseleni (uMkhoma Eco-Hub), Dlangezwa (uMhlathuze Eco-Hub) and Mbonambi (Amangwe Eco Hub). The intention has been to empower these ambassadors to become successful agri preneurs, who can deliver a multiplier effect where youth move from being job seekers to job creators.

A high rate of youth un employment and food insecurity, characterized by poverty and hunger affects communities around Richards Bay. Our South32 Eco-Hub project seeks to avert this situation by contributing to food security, creating employment for youth and improving the local economy of targeted communities through the development of four agricultural Eco-Hubs. Funded by South32 (Hillside Aluminium Properties Ltd) our Eco-Hub Project has been a

The 2022 Year 1 goal was to:

• Provide ambassadors with agribusiness SMME development training (WESSA’s New Venture Creation Course), • Expanding the footprint of their Eco-Hubs and • Fostering the exit paths of the youth with a solid business plan support for tangible self-employment, that will be further developed using an exit fund. Over this 2nd year, the goal has been to: • Recruit the 20 ambassadors • Establish and test 4 vegetable gardens and • Provide farming practice training.

catalyst for youth engagement as agents of change and employability in agriculture to ensure climate resilient food

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