UNLOCKING YOUTH ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
By Chelsea Morford
UNLOCK26, an impactful event focusing on unlocking youth economic participation through finance, innovation and entrepreneurship took place on Saturday 19 September. Hosted by The Kwakha Collective, and sponsored by DRG Outsourcing, BusinessFit SA and Standard Bank, the event brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and young people for a morning of conversation, insight and connection.
The panel, moderated by Dr Wendy Mahoney, featured Advocate Pria Hassan, Founder and CEO of Women of Africa Group; Fikile Msiza, Regional Head of Banking KZN at Standard Bank; and Ntando Phewa, Director of Philakwezwe. The keynote address was delivered by Russell Curtis of Invest Durban. Listening to the speakers was inspiring, but equally striking was seeing entrepreneurs show up with determination to pursue the growth and opportunities they are working towards.
A strong theme throughout the event was the importance of personal responsibility and action. Entrepreneurs were encouraged not to become dependent on grants or wait for someone else to create an opportunity, but to make effective use of their time, money, skills and existing resources. As one of the central messages put it: “Your capital follows your momentum, not your need.”
The importance of building a clean, compliant and credible business was also emphasised. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to establish proper statutory compliance from the beginning, maintain clean financial records and understand the tax benefits available to small and medium sized businesses. Financial discipline, including responsible use of company funds, can directly influence credibility with financial institutions and potential investors.
Relationships were another recurring theme. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to build their networks before they need them, collaborate rather than attempting to succeed entirely alone, and make use of mentors, coaches and the people around them. The event highlighted four principles to carry into business: collaboration, clarity, competence and compliance.
The speakers also challenged attendees to move beyond the expectation of instant gratification. Rejection, frustration and setbacks are inevitable, but these experiences can be used as motivation to keep moving forward, try new approaches and remain focused on solutions.
Discussions also touched on South Africa’s broader social and economic context, including the importance of avoiding divisive thinking while remaining proud of one’s identity and background. The reference to Nelson Mandela’s emphasis on building a unified South Africa framed the discussion around the value of constructive participation and shared progress.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the message was clear: read more, keep learning, build genuine relationships, seek guidance, stay focused and approach challenges with solutions rather than simply problems.
UNLOCK26 was ultimately about more than entrepreneurship. It was about creating momentum, opening conversations and connecting people to the tools and opportunities that can help them participate more meaningfully in the economy.
