On 16 October 2014, Shell will officially launch the revised LiveWIRE programme – a global social investment initiative that focuses on training and equipping young people with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to combat high levels of youth unemployment and poverty, particularly in South Africa.
The launch event will take place at The Forum in Bryanston, and will be hosted by Shell South Africa’s chairman, Bonang Mohale, and Raizcorp’s CEO, Allon Raiz.
“Shell is excited to launch the revitalised version of LiveWIRE,” says Bonang Mohale, chairman of Shell South Africa. “We believe this new format will prepare young people with relevant skills that meet market demands. LiveWIRE is a natural extension of our commitment to minimise poverty, unemployment, and inequality, and ultimately power the development of South Africans.”
Raizcorp, a global leader in business incubation and enterprise and supplier development, has partnered with Shell and will facilitate the LiveWIRE 2.0 programme. “We have to commit to investing in the youth of South Africa and empowering them to become successful entrepreneurs,” says Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp.
“In a world where quantity is valued more than quality, Raizcorp remains resolute that the selection of a smaller number of top quality entrepreneurs will result in a stronger, more positive local impact. The LiveWIRE programme is a high-quality programme that will equip quality entrepreneurs with the necessary entrepreneurial skills and training, so that they have the highest chance of participating and growing our economy.”
The Shell LiveWIRE programme is offered in 17 countries globally. It was established in South Africa in 1995, and has subsequently produced a number of entrepreneurs. Motselisi Malebo is one of the many success stories from the previous LiveWIRE programme. Motselisi developed a viable ice manufacturing business, to supply ice to retail businesses and households in her local market in Vereeniging in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng.
Today, Motselisi supplies ice to over 30 business customers, including restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations, and pubs.
The LiveWIRE programme supports historically disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 and 35, who have business drive. The entrepreneurs selected for the programme will attend various phases of training and development, over a period of 12 months. The programme strives towards contributing to and creating a strong culture of small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SME), and developing and growing their knowledge, skills and capabilities.
“The new LiveWIRE 2.0 programme signifies the beginning of a new phase for youth enterprise development in South Africa, and reflects Shell’s commitment to address skills shortages, and to improve labour market competencies of the communities Shell believes are important,” concludes Mohale.
