The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) participated in the 2026 Zenzele Youth Entrepreneurship Tour, hosted by the Youth for Africa and Enterprise Initiative (YAEI) and Absa, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), and North-West University (NWU) at the university’s Potchefstroom Campus.
The initiative brought together young people, students, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to promote employability, entrepreneurship, and youth development by providing participants with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to support their personal and professional growth.
Delivering her message at the event, DEDECT MEC Bitsa Lenkopane encouraged young people to take an active interest in shaping their futures, whether as students, aspiring entrepreneurs, or job seekers. She also highlighted the responsibility of government and other stakeholders to help create an environment that supports youth development and economic participation.
Lenkopane further emphasized the role of universities as centers of communication, learning, and knowledge-sharing within their communities. She called for entrepreneurship and youth development hubs to reflect the identity and strengths of universities while leveraging partnerships with organizations such as YAEI and Absa.
Congratulating the Zenzele graduates, the MEC said their certificates represented more than academic achievement, highlighting the discipline, commitment, and dedication required to complete the programme. She encouraged the graduates to view the challenges and adaptability required in entrepreneurship as part of the learning and growth process rather than as signs of failure.
NWGB’s participation in the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting youth development, responsible decision-making, and programmes that equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the economy and contribute to a sustainable future.
