Exploring the perceptions of entrepreneurship among the youth of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West Province

Abstract

The framework and lessons of the Millennium Development Goals adopted in 2000 remain applicable in their design to tackle diverse global challenges and in respect of this study, the eradication of poverty and hunger. Entrepreneurship among the youth can be linked to the pursuit to eradicate poverty by creating employment opportunities to reduce youth unemployment and advocate for social change through entrepreneurship. This study explores the perceptions of the youth regarding entrepreneurship in South Africa's North West Province specifically, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. In an area with distinct socio-economic dynamics and obstacles, it is critical to comprehend how the youth see entrepreneurship and its potential as a career route. This study aimed to determine the elements that influence young people's views on entrepreneurship, as well as the obstacles they face and the potential role that they can play in effecting social change through entrepreneurship. For this study, a qualitative research design with interpretivism as its basis was utilised. A purposive sampling technique was applied for the selection of a maximum of twenty young adults from Potchefstroom Central and Ikageng township to participate in focus group interviews to ascertain the perceptions of entrepreneurship among the youth in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. The researcher complied with all ethical requirements and guidelines mandated by the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act. To guarantee that ethical behaviour was upheld throughout the study, ethical clearance was obtained prior to the commencement of the study. The transcriptions of the data recordings were verbatim. Thematic data analysis was performed following the coding of the data. Preliminary findings indicated that there are barriers of entry perceived as obstacles to pursuing entrepreneurship which include the lack of mentorship, financial resources, and educational opportunities focused on entrepreneurship. Despite this, the findings also reveal that the youth have a positive perception of entrepreneurship and show a strong willingness to pursue it as a career path, Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made to encourage youth entrepreneurship: (1) research databases need to be created to provide a central network that can assist in providing information and guidance on entrepreneurship, (2) education and training interventions that will provide the necessary entrepreneurial knowledge and skills development opportunities to capacitate the youth towards entrepreneurial choices, (3) creating awareness of entrepreneurship in an effort to transform cultural and social norms associated with negative perceptions of entrepreneurship, (4) cultivating critical and productive partnerships that will financially support the entrepreneurship of the youth, (5) government initiatives that cultivate a supportive ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship, and (6) agile programmes that support entrepreneurship.