Metropolitan Collective Shapers goes national to tackle youth unemployment through entrepreneurship

Back by popular demand, the Metropolitan Collective Shapers (MCS) has gone national, calling on young entrepreneurs to transform South Africa’s future through opportunities in agriculture and logistics.

The national rollout took place at Melrose, Johannesburg, on September 26, where industry experts highlighted the stark reality of South Africa’s staggering 33.2% youth unemployment rate.

Now in its fourth iteration, MCS is a powerful youth empowerment and social impact initiative that provides both financial and non-financial support to entrepreneurs. It offers investment funding, business and leadership coaching, national exposure, access to real market opportunities, and ongoing mentorship, branding and media training specifically supporting small businesses in the agriculture and logistics sectors.

Metropolitan CEO Peter Tshiguvho said the MCS programme, which began as a regional initiative, has grown significantly due to high demand and proven results. Previous editions in Polokwane, Tshwane, and KwaZulu-Natal demonstrated the programme’s ability to transform lives, create jobs, and empower communities.

“Over the past three to four years, every time we visited a different province, we were met with the same question: ‘Why haven’t you come to mine?’ That’s when it became clear, if there’s interest across the country, why not take it national?” Tshiguvho explained.

He added that the expansion ensures inclusivity and reach. 

“By going national, we can engage more young entrepreneurs from all nine provinces at once. It allows us to identify the most promising individuals and make sure no one is left out. Each year, this approach touches more people than going province by province.”

The programme starts with 150 participants, who progress through multiple stages of training and evaluation. While only the top 10 are awarded funding, every participant gains valuable exposure, skills, and networks to strengthen their businesses.

“Each of the top 10 will receive R20,000 from Metropolitan, plus access to Maido, a company that helps small and medium enterprises become fundable. The goal is to build businesses that are not only operational but also scalable and able to attract future investment,” Tshiguvho said.

Beyond business models and financial backing, the programme emphasised the importance of mental resilience. Dr Antoinette Basson highlighted the emotional toll faced by many entrepreneurs, stressing the need for hope.

“A lot of young people leaving school or varsity are uncertain about their next step. Many turn to entrepreneurship, which comes with both challenges and opportunities,” she said.

Basson added that resilience and support are crucial. 

“If you want to succeed, you have to handle setbacks. Just imagine waking up one morning and losing your entire crop; you cannot face that alone. That’s why support for young people is critical, not just from family, but also from peers and mental health structures.”

By equipping entrepreneurs with both financial and emotional tools, the MCS programme is positioning itself as more than just a business incubator; it’s a movement dedicated to building sustainable businesses and resilient leaders.

The 2025 national rollout of MCS signals a bold step toward reshaping South Africa’s economic future, one young entrepreneur at a time.

The Star

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