Cabinet has welcomed the launch of the Enterprise Development Academy by Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu.

The academy, launched in Johannesburg last week, is based at the Gordon Institute of Business Science. It focuses on scholarship-based education and support to micro and small business owners, helping them grow sustainably to create further employment in the long-term.

Addressing the media in Cape Town, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe, said the academy is part of the solution to address youth unemployment and build a nation of entrepreneurs.

“It aims to provide practical and relevant business education and leadership training to entrepreneurs, followed by a comprehensive structure of support services. This ensures that academic learning is applied to the business environment and that impact is achieved.

“South Africa needs an entrepreneurial revolution in order to spark a shift in direction towards entrepreneurship and SMEs that will move the country forward,” he said.

Radebe said government, big business and academic institutions need to collaborate when it comes to supporting job creation through enterprise development.

“In order to flourish, business creation needs an enabling environment where entrepreneurs have access to funding, best-practice tools and skills development,” he said.