As part of its Youth Month commemoration programmes, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) successfully hosted a vibrant SMME Skills Development Programme aimed at nurturing and supporting young entrepreneurs. The initiative served as a vital platform for youth to share ideas, gain access to key resources, and enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities.

Through this programme, Buffalo City Metro reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic development by providing emerging entrepreneurs with tools to grow their businesses and navigate the complexities of the modern business environment. The event drew participation from several key stakeholders, including the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).

Local business owners such as Azola Mgayi, founder of Kwantu Cafe, shared their personal journeys, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities in the food and hospitality sector. Another standout story came from Yondela Sombalo, the founder of Goldspoon, a leather apparel manufacturing company. Sombalo, a graduate of BCMM s collaborative skills programme with the People s Republic of China, praised the initiative for helping unlock new opportunities and business growth.

The event was charged with enthusiasm and optimism as youth-led SMMEs across various sectors exchanged ideas and forged new partnerships. This initiative responded directly to Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane s call for stronger collaboration between government, business, and civil society to promote youth-led transformation and inclusive economic growth