• A woman entreprenuer.
By LILLIAN BANDA –
Self-confidence, a strong work ethic and ambition are vital elements of success. These attributes are also essential characteristics of an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly discussed topic of our times. Discussions on entrepreneurship are now being encouraged even at early stages of child development.
The incorporation of entrepreneurship education programmes into the mainstream education system is an indication that stakeholders are beginning to appreciate the role such programmes play in fostering development at various levels.
Variations of entrepreneurship education programmes are now being offered at all levels of education starting from elementary (primary and secondary school), through to university.
The overall objective of these programmes is to prepare young people to be responsible and enterprising individuals that later become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers.
Business experts assert that entrepreneurial programmes not only provide the motivation and skills needed to start a business or a new venture but also are about nurturing the ability and willingness of individuals to create value for themselves, others and society.
Studies also suggest that entrepreneurship education programmes help to reduce apathy in school going children and increase their desire to achieve success, which plays a significant role in motivating people to be enterprising.
“Entrepreneurship education programmes teach a range of life skills that are not just limited to running a business because not everyone is going to own a business, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But it is important for young people to learn basic financial literacy and other programmes that encourage one to be enterprising, as they will pick up skills that can be useful in a variety of situations. That is what entrepreneurship education programmes seek to achieve,” explains Clement Moyo, Nyenyezi Institute Director.
The institute, which is located in Lusaka’s Matero Township, runs various learning programmes that include a primary and secondary school, an auto mechanics school and a driving school has incorporated entrepreneurship in all its programmes.
Mr Moyo has since commended the Government through the Ministry of Education Science Vacation Training and Early Education for incorporating entrepreneurship education programmes in the education system.
It should be noted that entrepreneurship education programmes not only focus on the realisation of opportunities with starting a new business being the most popular, but also promotes innovation by introducing new products or services or markets within existing establishments, which is an approach called corporate entrepreneurship or Intrapreneurship.
A report by Venter Lab states that entrepreneurship education allows children that aspire to be business owners to jumpstart that process by testing out and experimenting with ideas.
The programme also helps school going children that wish to work in the formal sector to develop skills to innovate and succeed in their field.
The report further states that at personal development level, entrepreneurship education builds confidence, motivates progress, strengthens the entrepreneurial mindset and fosters a desire to achieve and to be action oriented.
It also enables business minded young persons to learn financial literacy and skills necessary for them to engage in self-employment.
“Entrepreneurial education is more than just building a business plan and marketing a product. It is about learning how to recognize opportunities and making the most out of them. That is a skill every young professional ought to have, more so today because employers are now looking for skills that go beyond qualifications and experience.
They want individuals that are able to articulate issues, engage in critical thinking and have problem solving abilities. The aforementioned skills are necessary for getting, keeping and being successful in a job,” explains Clement Njobvu, proprietor of Cleyami Forest Honey.
Clement, who holds a first Degree in Wood Science and Technology from the Copperbelt University (CBU) reveals that the entrepreneurship component of the programme helped him to be creative and inspired him to consider starting a business instead of looking for formal employment after graduating.
He says, “The entrepreneurship aspect of the programme made me realise that there is so much can be done when people are encouraged to be enterprising. I chose not to take the traditional path of getting a good education and going to work in the formal sector, although it is still fine for any youth to do so. I instead decided to start my own business.”
And a renowned businessman and philanthropist asserts that institutionalising entrepreneurship is vital for the growth of any organization.
“The most important people in any organisation are entrepreneurs also known as intrapreneurs. It is not possible for an organization to grow big only on the ideas of one person even if that person is a brilliant entrepreneur.
If you want your business to continue growing over a long period of time and certainly when you have retired, or even died; you must institutionalize a culture of entrepreneurship. That is one of your most important task as a founder of an establishment,” explains Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairperson of Econet Wireless.
In a related vein, Entrepreneurs’ Financial Centre (EFC) has implored youths to take advantage of available business opportunities and help reduce unemployment levels.
“An enterprising mind will always view a challenge as a business opportunity. That is why we need to encourage young people to view challenges as opportunities.
At ECF, we believe that entrepreneurs are not just trailblazers but also shepherds of economic renaissance and that is why we encourage young people to be enterprising so that they can contribute to the wellbeing of their communities,” explains Company Chief Of operations Chembe Chipungu.
