Young entrepreneurs graduate from the Google Academy

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Google continues to empower young entrepreneurs, recently celebrating the graduation of 5,000 students who completed its Hustle Academy training program.

Alistair Mokoena, country manager at Google South Africa, hopes to see the academy grow. Photo: Chant Ho Hip

Launched in February this year, the academy has provided hands-on business education to entrepreneurs from South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

Prudence Thulisile and Colleen Flowers Toerin are proud entrepreneurs. Photo: Chant Ho Hip

According to Alistair Mokoena, country manager at Google South Africa, the 5,000 graduates came from 23 cohorts who attended free five-day virtual training camps where they learned how to define their business strategy, drive sales and how to pitch their business to the financing.

Information Officer for the Department of Small Business Development Norbit Williams congratulates small business owners. Photo: Chant Ho Hip

Our graduates are working hard to grow their businesses, and as well as having an impact in these 5,000 SMEs, this type of hands-on training also has a knock-on effect, helping many more people succeed, said Mokoena

Small business owners Ridoh Rylands, Mahlatse Prince Maifo and Prudence Thulisile share their travels with the programme. Photo: Chant Ho Hip

One of the graduates was Paulshof entrepreneur Mahlatse Prince Maifo, who founded June Royce Education Consultants.

According to Maifo, the passion for education that drove the creation of the business continues to motivate the growth of his business.

I am a third generation teacher who felt he had a purpose in life to guide and teach young people.

After her work as a virtual teacher for war-affected overseas students in Ukraine, Maifo hopes to focus on self-catering education.

Keneilwe Pholo and Nkaela Mosumi are excited to start their graduation. Photo: Chant Ho Hip

I would like to make sure that no matter where students are, who they are and where they come from, they are able to get the education they deserve, he said.

Information officer for the Department of Small Business Development Norbit Williams added that a program like Hustle Academy plays a vital role in not only elevating small businesses but also economic growth as a whole.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the global economy and account for around 80% of jobs in Africa.

In sub-Saharan Africa alone, there are an estimated 44 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which serve as major drivers of economic growth.

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