Nedbank’s 2021 YouthX Business and Finance category winner: Thobinceba Cooper
Where is he now?
Many ideas from young South Africans are dependent on funding and having access to the right information. To help with this need and to promote entrepreneurship among the South African youth, Nedbank has created Nedbank YouthX – a platform designed to enable youth to realise their potential by giving them access to resources and inspiration.
In 2021, Thobinceba Cooper was awarded the Business and Finance category award. His entry was based on his business Fierce Creative Academy, which is a platform aimed at shining the spotlight on South Africa’s youth and empowering them to chase their dreams in fashion and arts regardless of their circumstances.
We are catching up with him to find out how Nedbank YouthX has supported him in his business journey.
How has Nedbank YouthX affected you?
Nedbank YouthX has had a positive impact in so many ways. As a young entrepreneur from the township, having struggled for years to find funding for my business idea, the introduction of Unlocked.Me enabled me to showcase what I do to a larger audience and gain industry knowledge from the changemakers through all the informative masterclasses. I also had the opportunity to travel and was exposed to so many other young go-getters like me.
How has your life changed since winning the award?
After winning the Youth Business and Finance category award, I was empowered to take my business to the next level and to think about how to improve the services I offered. With the cash prize, I was able to buy equipment for my academy, afford better premises to host my masterclasses and use the rest for my business cash flow, all increasing my profits. The tech equipment has helped me better communicate with my clients and to create content for my marketing material.
About Nedbank YouthX
Nedbank YouthX is an exclusive round-the-clock portal brought to you by Unlocked.Me and Nedbank. It’s tailor-made for the youth, with all the resources you need to unlock your potential and make the most of your passion.
The platform has several components designed to help South Africa’s youth realise their potential. The first competent is prominent changemakers, all young people who have seen success in their respective industries who are available to inspire the youth and share valuable knowledge.
Other components include YouthX LIVE, a series of events to learn from changemakers and industry experts; a web-based app giving entrepreneurs access to valuable, exclusive content; YouthX Awards to reward young people for brilliant businesses or ideas with unmatched prizes; and a YouthX Summit, which is a festival and networking opportunity to close the year.
Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this year’s Nedbank YouthX! Visit https://www.unlocked.me/potential to find out more.