Tana Malinga

• Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni

There are moments in a nation’s journey when a single initiative becomes more than a government programme, it becomes a promise. On the youth month “June 2026”, in Phuthaditjhaba, QwaQwa, Free State, that promise came to life as the Department of Small Business Development, through the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), officially launched the Peo Pele Youth Fund, signalling a renewed commitment to placing young entrepreneurs at the heart of South Africa’s economic future.

For many aspiring business owners gathered at the launch, the day represented far more than another official event. It represented hope, a reminder that with the right support, determination and opportunity, even the smallest business idea can become a thriving enterprise capable of transforming lives and communities.

No story captured that spirit more powerfully than that of Itumeleng Matla, Director and Founder of Fresh Poultry, whose entrepreneurial journey embodied everything the Peo Pele Youth Fund stands for.

• Itumeleng Matla, Director and Founder of Fresh Poultry

In 2020, Itumeleng and her sister started their family-owned business as poultry resellers with just 20 fresh chickens. Armed with little more than determination and an unwavering belief in their vision, they took their first steps into entrepreneurship.

Understanding that success requires more than passion alone, they enrolled in business development programmes offered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), where they received vital entrepreneurial training and practical business management skills. Those lessons became the foundation upon which they would build their dream.

Their breakthrough came in 2021 when they entered a youth business pitch competition. Winning R14,500 together with professional business coaching proved to be a turning point. With expert guidance, they expanded their operations from 20 chickens to 300 birds, and, through disciplined reinvestment and strategic planning, eventually scaled production to more than 1,000 birds.

Recognition soon followed. Their outstanding progress earned them nomination among the Top Achievers in the Free State, before they claimed first prize in the 2022 Free State Agricultural Youth Competition, an annual platform celebrating excellence among young agricultural entrepreneurs.

Rather than viewing the prize money as a reward, Itumeleng and her sister saw it as another investment in their future. Every rand was channelled back into the business, enabling Fresh Poultry to expand its infrastructure and increase production capacity to approximately 2,000 birds.

Their journey became a testament to the power of resilience, continuous learning and reinvesting in growth.

Stories such as Itumeleng’s demonstrate why initiatives like the Peo Pele Youth Fund matter. They show that when young entrepreneurs receive access to skills development, mentorship, funding and business support, they do not simply build successful businesses, they create employment, strengthen local economies and inspire countless others to believe that success is possible.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni challenged South Africa’s youth to redefine their place in the economy, not as job seekers, but as innovators, employers and architects of inclusive economic growth. Her message was clear: entrepreneurship is no longer an alternative pathway; it is a cornerstone of South Africa’s future prosperity.

The launch of the Peo Pele Youth Fund reflects government’s determination to remove the barriers that have long prevented many young entrepreneurs from accessing finance. Beyond funding, the initiative offers mentorship, business development support and improved market access, recognising that sustainable enterprises require far more than capital alone.

One of the defining moments of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SEDFA and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). The partnership strengthens collaboration in identifying, preparing and supporting youth-owned enterprises through coordinated funding, mentorship and enterprise development programmes.

The occasion also celebrated entrepreneurship in action as 140 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received Certificates of Participation together with business starter kits, providing practical support to help emerging entrepreneurs establish and grow sustainable businesses.

Minister Ndabeni further encouraged young entrepreneurs to seize broader funding opportunities available through government, including the Youth Challenge Fund, which offers qualifying youth-owned enterprises access to significant financial support aimed at accelerating innovation, business growth and job creation.

As government leaders, entrepreneurs, development finance institutions and young innovators gathered under one roof, the atmosphere reflected more than optimism, it reflected belief. A belief that South Africa’s future will not only be shaped in boardrooms or government offices, but also in township workshops, family-owned enterprises, rural farms and small businesses built by courageous young people willing to take the first step.

The story of Itumeleng Matla reminds us that every successful enterprise begins with a single decision to start. The Peo Pele Youth Fund exists to ensure that the next generation of entrepreneurs has the opportunity to turn ambition into achievement, just as she did.

The message from QwaQwa was unmistakable: when young entrepreneurs are placed first, Peo Pele, they do more than build businesses. They build families, communities and a stronger South Africa, proving that the greatest investment any nation can make is in the dreams of its young people.

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