Artisans stand to benefit significantly from the Green Economy, with an estimated 75% of jobs in this sector expected to be filled by trade artisans in the future. While the anticipated transition to a sustainable green future holds immense promise, technical artisans will also need to navigate growing challenges like community disruption and the influence of construction mafias.

These were some of the relevant topics explored at the recent Makers Fest 2024, which shone a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities facing young artisan entrepreneurs. The event addressed issues such as navigating community disruptions and the construction mafia, while also highlighting the vast potential of the green economy, where an estimated 75% of new jobs will be created for artisans. The 3rd Annual Allan Gray Makers Fest, themed ‘Innovating the Trades for a Sustainable Future,’ successfully brought together key players in the technical and vocational trades sector to explore these critical issues and more.

Highlights from the event included:

• The National Entrepreneurship Inter-College Finals, where young entrepreneurs from TVET institutions across the country kicked off the first day of Makers Fest 2024 by pitching their innovative ideas that will build the businesses of tomorrow. Delegates and judges were treated to ingenious pitches from bright young minds, leading up to the unveiling of winners and runners-up across four competitive categories. 
• National Business Initiative CEO, Shameela Soobramoney identified the various sectors within the green economy like renewable energy, recycling, up-cycling and and how these fields held immense opportunities for employment and entrepreneurial growth, with up to 75% of new jobs and artisan skills being required in the future.
• A powerful keynote address delivered by Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University, emphasized the importance of ethical leadership in entrepreneurship.
• Ministerial Address by the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala outlining government initiatives in pioneering sustainable infrastructure and the vital role vocational training and artisans play in the country’s economy.
• Adv. Dirk van Zyl of Group One Advocates provided practical and legal advice on how young artisanal entrepreneurs could protect themselves and their businesses from construction mafia tactics, an insidious and widespread corrupt practice that has hamstrung economic growth in the sectors in which trade artisans operate.

“One of the most urgent challenges facing our country is the lack of meaningful employment opportunities for young people; this affects 9 million young people who are not economically active, not engaged in employment nor training. This challenge fuels Allan Gray Makers’ mission to find solutions to the problem of poverty and unemployment, by nurturing and empowering technical artisan entrepreneurship with the ultimate goal of a prosperous and productive society, that thrives with dignity and hope,” says Seth Mulli, Allan Gray Makers Programme Director. “The technical and vocational trades industry is often overlooked, but at Allan Gray Makers we see this industry as the sleeping giant of the economy that can create employment and income-earning opportunities for young people.”

The 2-day event offered an exciting lineup of inspiring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive innovation labs designed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to future-proof their trades. Alongside the conference offering, a mini-expo showcased the latest in green economy tools, equipment and accessories for artisans as well as access to business funding and entrepreneurship facilitators.