The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (Ewseta) has launched a six-month mentorship programme aimed at upskilling young entrepreneurs to identify, develop support, fund and upscale a new generation of Fourth Industrial Revolution- (4IR-) enabled solutions to address the Eastern Cape’s pressing food-energy-water nexus challenges.
In partnership with the 4IR-AquaTech Business Accelerator programme, 20 4IR-AquaTech companies will embark on an intensive six-month training, coaching and mentoring programme that will also enable the match-up of the startups with cutting-edge technologies and market access opportunities.
“Ewseta is excited to be leading a programme such as this one, as we are mandated to drive entrepreneur and small, medium-sized and microenterprise development in the energy and water sectors, given the critical role they play in addressing energy and water challenges and driving economic growth,” says Ewseta CEO Mpho Mookapele.
Water in South Africa, which is heading towards a 17% deficit by 2030, has moved from being a marginal input to a central enabler of food security, energy security and climate security.
“South Africa is rich with young minds that can drive innovative solutions for the challenges we face. Our role, as Ewseta, is to provide a platform for these young minds and ignite the passion of our innovators so that they become part of the much-needed solutions that will change the narrative of poverty and undignified state of living for many of our people,” she says.