In the spirit of celebrating Mandela Day 2025’s call to take action, inspire change, and make every day a Mandela Day, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, proudly present the inaugural entrepreneurship masterclass titled:
“67 Key Points to Becoming an Entrepreneur and Starting a Small Business”
This milestone event is specifically designed for 67 Deaf learners from selected schools across Gauteng, reflecting the 67 years that Nelson Mandela dedicated to fighting for social justice. The masterclass is a bold and timely step in addressing the chronic unemployment crisis among youth with disabilities, offering them a pathway toward independence, innovation, and self-sufficiency.
The interactive session will cover foundational entrepreneurship principles and practical tools to empower Deaf learners to view entrepreneurship not only as a viable career path but as a form of personal and economic liberation. Delivered in South African Sign Language (SASL) and hosted in an accessible learning environment, the masterclass embodies Neema Foundation’s mission to champion inclusive development and equal access to opportunity.
“We believe that Deaf youth have immense potential to lead, innovate, and transform their communities. This Mandela Month, we honour Madiba’s legacy by investing in the future of young Deaf entrepreneurs, ensuring they are seen, heard, and empowered to thrive. Entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about agency, confidence, and creating solutions for our communities. And it must be inclusive,”
states Fatima Cele, Executive Director at Neema Foundation.
While this is a closed event, limited to invited guests and learners from participating Deaf schools, it marks the beginning of a broader movement to increase Deaf representation in the entrepreneurial landscape of South Africa.