Mbombela – The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in collaboration with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), will this week award funding worth R3.5 million to 24 tourism youth businesses in Mpumalanga. The awarding of the funding will follow a pitching session, during which the youth in the tourism sector will showcase their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges. Those with outstanding business ideas will then be selected for funding for their innovation and contribution to the tourism sector.
The awarding of the funding will be presented by the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Ms. Makhosazane Masilela and NYDA Board member, Mr. Thulisa Ndlela. This is the outcome of the Mpumalanga Tourism Youth Fund launched at Manyeleti Nature Reserve in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality on the 19th of September 2024. Following the launch, applications for funding were opened for the youth in the tourism business in Mpumalanga, and closed on 30 November 2024.
The Mpumalanga Tourism Youth Fund aims to empower young entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, by providing financial assistance and resources, to help them grow and expand their businesses, ultimately stimulating innovation, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable business growth, especially in rural areas. The Fund also aims to unite a diverse range of partners from both within and beyond government, positioning itself as the largest and most comprehensive initiative in South Africa’s democratic history, to support Mpumalanga's tourism youth entrepreneurs.
Details of the funding award ceremony are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 18 March 2025
Time: 16h00
Venue: University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela Local Municipality
All media is invited.
For media confirmations: Mr. Thomas Msiza @ 079 500 0137/ 013 766 4328/ tmsiza@mpg.gov.za or Ms. Buhle Galeba @ 076 885 8206/ Buhle.Geleba@nyda.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued jointly by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
Media Enquiries: Dr. Mohau Ramodibe, Head of Communication on 060 989 4678 or Ms. Nomthandazo Mpangane, MLO of the MEC on 073 510 0525
Notes to Editors:
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, under the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, is mandated to stimulate economic growth and development in the Province, so as to create sustainable and decent employment, economic transformation and to alleviate poverty. The Department has three (3) Public Entities; namely, Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), and Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER), to which it has delegated some of its constitutionally-mandated functions. These functions relate to: trade and investment promotion; funding of SMMEs; tourism growth and development; tourism marketing; regulation of the gambling and liquor industries, including collection of gambling levies and liquor license fees, amongst others.
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P.S: Mpumalanga will host the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in September 2025