Empowering the Future Through the Youth: Youth In Business Seminar Driving Change in Gqeberha

The Youth In Business Seminar (YIBS) has continued to grow from strength to strength, fueled by passionate partners who share a common vision for South Africa’s economic growth and the promotion of economic independence through entrepreneurship. At a time when youth unemployment remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, initiatives such as YIBS play a critical role in equipping young people with the tools, mindset, and networks needed to participate meaningfully in the economy.

Recognizing that the economic future of South Africa is deeply connected to its youth, X-Factored Youth, Billio Breeze, TAC Accounting, and Advanced Academy once again joined hands to bring youth entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs together in Gqeberha. The seminar aims to boost local economic growth while encouraging entrepreneurship as a viable and sustainable form of self-employment.

The Youth In Business Seminar was initiated by Billio Breeze with a specific focus on empowering the youth of Walmer and the greater Gqeberha area. Notably, Billio Breeze has proudly hosted the event for two consecutive years, demonstrating a consistent and committed investment in the development of young people within the community. This ongoing effort reflects a deep understanding that long-term impact is achieved through continuity, mentorship, and access to opportunity.

YIBS was created to give young people the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway into South Africa’s economy. Beyond theory, the seminar creates a space for networking with like-minded individuals and learning directly from those who are already active in the entrepreneurial space. The target audience includes young matriculants uncertain about their next career step after Grade 12, gap-year students, unemployed youth, and those staying at home but eager to find direction and purpose.

Importantly, the seminar extends a strong invitation to young and unemployed individuals who are searching for that push—those who have ideas, ambition, or simply the desire to do something meaningful. Entrepreneurship offers more than income generation; it provides a way to create value, contribute to society, and take ownership of one’s future. Through platforms like YIBS, young people are encouraged to see themselves not just as job seekers, but as job creators. Young people are viewed as capable of financial independence and value creators. Through YIBS, we seek to challenge the status quo young entrepreneur at a time.

The impact of YIBS has already received notable recognition, with YIBS 2025 securing extensive media coverage from prominent television broadcasters such as SABC, eNCA, and MpumaKapa, underscoring the relevance and growing influence of the initiative. Building on this momentum, YIBS 2026 is scheduled to take place from 26 to 28 February, with a renewed focus on reaching and empowering an even broader group of young people. The seminar remains open to potential funders, strategic partners, and media collaborators who share the mission and can help expand the reach and impact across the province and beyond.

In a city like Gqeberha, where economic opportunities are urgently needed, events such as the Youth In Business Seminar are more than workshops—they are catalysts for change. By empowering the youth with knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance, YIBS continues to play a vital role in shaping a more resilient, innovative, and economically active generation.