​​​With concerns that South Africa has a high rate of unemployment among young people, the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Alumni Relations Office launched a network initiative amongst UJ students and graduates which will provide them with growth and business opportunities.

The first Alumni Business Forum was launched on Friday, 25 April 2014 at the UJ Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus in the Sol Kerzner Building at the School of Tourism and Hospitality, where possible opportunities for business partnerships were discussed. Students and young alumni were empowered with information and encouraged to apply.

Guest speakers included Moipone Molotsi, Director of Centre for Small Business Development (CSBD), who spoke about the different programmes offered at the centre about how young entrepreneurs are assisted in starting their own small businesses and partnering with the right institutions. Pitso Mohlaole from UJ’s Procurement Office also shared insights into how alumni who are entrepreneurs can do business with UJ.

The Alumni Office expressed its mission to offer opportunitues for young alumni and students who will soon become entrepreneurs. “What do our graduates do with their qualifications in a country that lacks jobs? We offer platforms such as our Business Forum to grow our UJ Alumni and develop them into successful entrepreneurs and business owners,” said Nandipha Madadasana, the UJ Head Alumni Relations.

The next business forum will be held on Thursday, 29 May 2014, during the inaugural UJ Alumni Day, where matters such as the real benefits of networking will be discussed. Alumni and students are encouraged to attend in order to be empowered. ​