Bellville South High Entreprenuers Return from China

On Friday, September 1 Provincial Minsiter of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop will treat six Bellville South High learners to tea to congratulate them on their achievements in China.

The six learners represented South African in an international youth entrepreneurial competition. They took top honors in both the best Environmental project and the best community outreach programme. They came fifth overall.

Minister Essop made the trip a reality when she contacted Thabit Gool of African Fleet Solutions (Afsol) and MTN who immediately pledged their support and collectively they made up the R50 000 shortfall. The learners will share their experiences of the trip with Minister Essop, Mr Gool and Beverley.

Time: Friday, 10am
Venue: 12th Floor, Utilitas Building, 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town

For Catering Purposes: Please RSVP either via email or phone. Please note the previous release is added for your information and background.

Six learners from Bellville South High jetted off to China on Tuesday to represent South African in an international youth entrepreneurial competition.

The trip was made possible after intervention by Provincial Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop.

Elton Emtoch, Roseleen Mottie, Levieke Petersen, Daniel Ntsiyane, Megan Christians and Ashleigh Booysen entered the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) competition.

SAGE South Africa is run by the University of the Western Cape's Youth Initiative for Entrepreneurial and Leadership Development Programme. The team made and sold pillow cases, lamps, candle holder and tissue boxes, all made from recycled materials. They will now compete against young people from 50 countries.

After winning the competition the school needed to raise R90 000 for flights and accommodation. Most of the team's parents are unemployed. Teacher and mentor, Eric Arnolds approached Minister Essop for assistance. She contacted a number of people. Thabit Gool of African Fleet Solutions (Afsol) and MTN immediately pledged their support and collectively they made up the R50 000 shortfall.

Minister Essop, who could not be at the airport to see the team off, congratulated the school on winning the national leg of the international competition. "We wish them well. They are already role models to other young people in our objective to build a spirit of entrepreneurship into the future." "I want to thank Mr Gool and MTN for responding so swiftly to my appeal for assistance to make it possible for our team to go and represent our country in Shangai China. They have indeed done the Western Cape proud."

Before leaving Mr Arnolds thanked all the organisations who had made the trip a possibility, but had a special word of thanks for Minister Essop, Mr Gool and MTN who had ensured the bulk of the money. "I am thankful to everyone, all the people and organizations who donated money, but especially to Minister Essop, for her continued hard work and in helping to realise our trip. We are blessed to have a leader of such stature. Our mission is to make the Western Cape and South Africa proud," Mr Arnolds said.

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Enquiries:
Lynnette Johns
Media Liasion Officer to Ms Tasneem Essop
Provincial Minister:
Environment, Planning and Economic Development
Tel: 021 483 3915
Fax:021 483 6081