METROPOLITAN BRINGING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENTREPRENEURS IN PRETORIA.
On Wednesday Metropolitan held a Collective Shapers, media launch event at Loft on Nine, Menlyn. The event was aimed at mobilizing support and spread more information about the Collective Shapers program which was taking place in Tshwane. Metropolitan aims to invigorate youth economically through knowledge, skills and enabling a sustainable future to reach their entrepreneurship goals and to empower their communities. They are looking for 125 entrepreneurs to participate in the programme with closing date being the 30th November 2022.
The event in Tshwane will be focused on residents of the city between the ages 18 and 34, who are already active in the food and hospitality sector. To be part of the programme, applicants must be permanent residents in South Africa, have a registered business in the food and hospitality sector that’s been in operation for less than two years with the business being 51% or more black owned. To enter go to www.metropolitan.co.za for more information.
The MC of the event was the ever elegant Miss P who is a media personality of note. The first act of the day as part of welcoming the guests was an exceptional performance by Gcina Mhlophe that was gracefully received by the attendants through a well-deserved round of applause. Nontokozo Madonsela Group Chief Marketing Officer of Momentum Metropolitan was then invited on stage to share the welcoming address.
Amongst other’s she spoke about how the programme was a follow up to a pilot endeavor that was launched in Polokwane in 2021 as the birth of Collective Shapers. She said based on the reception and lessons learned through the first instalment they saw it fit to bring the programme to Tshwane. She added that following their research through engaging Tshwane residents the Food and Hospitality industry was found to be the industry of interest within various communities. She also said they will be hosting a Master Class in Atteridgeville on the 19th November as part of the activation.
Other keynote speakers followed suit speaking about their role in the programme and its essence. This included the CEO of Metropolitan Peter Tshiguvha, who spoke about the purpose of the event. Lee Herridge spoke about the research they did in Tshwane and the communities they visited leading to selection of the industries the programme will focus on. Other speakers included Viketa Rankin CEO of Value Ed, and Michael Mann Operations Executive at BPO.
After a short interval that included an acoustic performance by a duo called Beyond Africa, followed the panel discussion. The discussion was moderated by Tlalane Ntuli and involved the speakers stated above. Hulisani Takalani a farmer who was a finalist in the Polokwane Collective Shapers was also part of the panel. Each stakeholder spoke about their contribution to the endeavor and their experiences being part of the programme.
Following the panel discussion there was a Q&A session followed by a surprise announcement by James Boultort, Metropolitan Head of Brand. He announced that four business owners in the Food and Hospitality industry from Tshwane whom they had met during the research phase would get automatic qualification into the programme. Tlou Keetse Metropolitan Provincial General Manager concluded the event with a vote of thanks
