Photo: One of the presenters, Chef Donovan Matlhare, senior CUT Hospitality and Tourism management student, who is passionate about entrepreneurship, healthy living, and positively impacting people’s lives, is seen here giving the judges samples of his healthy juice produced by his company Rosa Alba Food and Bev.

The Free State Provincial Tourism Career Expo launched the Youth Business Zone Competition on 03 August 2023 at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), inviting young ‘studentpreneurs’ in the Tourism and Hospitality Management career field from both CUT and Motheo TVET college to pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of judges. The launch, which also forms part of the Free State Provincial Tourism Career Expo, is set to continue on 04 August 2023. The launch aims to assist students with their entrepreneurial innovations as they will be venturing into the tourism and hospitality industry upon completing their studies.

Photo: A panel of judges comprised representatives from CUT and DESTEA.

The parties who collaborated in the Youth Business Zone Competition launch include the CUT, Free State Department: Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Free State Department of Education, Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports, Sector Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and Motheo TVET College.

Senior CUT and Motheo TVET College students in Tourism and Hospitality Management presented their innovative business ideas and proposals to a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes valued at R80 000.  The cash prize is envisioned to assist these young minds to start up their business ventures.