The current education system is outdated, still preparing learners for an industrial-era workforce, while today’s society demands entrepreneurial thinking to enable our young people to create employment for themselves and others.
Shaun Fuchs, Founder and CEO of Centennial Schools, says that entrepreneurship is key to stimulating economic growth and reducing youth unemployment – which is currently over 46% for 15- to 34-year-olds. Even among Matriculants, nearly half remain unemployed; a reality that reflects a glaring mismatch between basic schooling outcomes and the needs of the modern economy.
“South Africa needs more young people who can identify opportunities, solve problems, and create value,” says Fuchs. “Entrepreneurship is not simply about starting a business. It develops confidence, resilience, financial literacy, leadership, and critical thinking skills that are valuable regardless of the career path a matriculant eventually follows.”
This philosophy sits at the heart of Centennial Schools’ educational approach. Entrepreneurship forms a core part of the curriculum, supported by practical initiatives such as NextGen Founders; an annual entrepreneurship programme designed to help students from Grades 6 to 11 create, develop, and manage their own businesses. It enables students to test ideas in real market conditions and work closely with experienced business leaders.
As we celebrate Youth Month, it is important to recognise that entrepreneurship education is only one part of the equation. Young people also need mentors who can help them bridge the gap between theory and practice while guiding them through the realities of the business world. Centennial Schools places a strong emphasis on mentorship, providing learners with opportunities to learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who have successfully navigated the challenges of building and growing businesses. Thirteen-year-old Eric Meyer, a Grade 8 student at Centennial Schools, is already focused on creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. His venture, Hint of Africa, produces a unique product called a Quillow – a pillow that unfolds into a blanket, made using shweshwe fabric – and is this year’s NextGen Founders winner.
For Eric, entrepreneurship started with curiosity and ambition.
“My mom originally started Hint of Africa but, when she became busier, I asked if I could take it over because I wanted to understand how business works,” he explains. “My goal is to become the youngest successful entrepreneur in my family.”
While the product itself has attracted attention at markets and online, the experience of running a business has taught Eric lessons that extend far beyond sales.
“The most rewarding part is seeing customers leave with a smile on their face,” he says. “And I love that I’m learning and making money at the same time. For me, marketing is the most difficult part. It has shown me that having a great product is only one part of success.”
Eric receives ongoing guidance from Fuchs, gaining exposure to business management principles and the kind of thinking that can help accelerate his growth.
“NextGen Founders has paired me with people who can help me grow,” says Eric. “Working with Mr Fuchs has taught me new skills, and it has also shown me how much I still have to learn.”
Long-term, Eric’s vision is to create full-time employment for at least five seamstresses by introducing the Quillow into tourism, hospitality, retail, and education markets.
Fuchs believes that exposure to entrepreneurship is increasingly important in a country where youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing socioeconomic challenges.
“What excites me most is not Eric’s business itself, but the fact that students like him are already thinking beyond their own success,” says Fuchs. “Eric is talking about creating jobs, building something sustainable, and making a meaningful contribution to his community. These are exactly the kinds of young leaders South Africa needs more of, and why entrepreneurship education matters.”
