MG200 Inaugural youth summit 2024
Mail and guardian hosted ambitious South African youth for the first MG200 youth summit on the 27th of June 2024.The Mail and guardian 200 young South African award has become a noticeable accolade in the South African job and business market.Each year Mail and guardian highlights 200 individuals or businesses under the age of 35 that are influencial in their respective fields.With over 17 categories to choose from,Nominees are always eager to be named amongst the 200 people affecting meaningful change in the country.While the award has been around since 2006,It was the first time that mail and guardian invited hopeful candidates and all interested parties to join them for the pre-game.The summit was very informative,educational and did not have a shortage of inspiration.
The Mail and guardian CEO, Thembisa Fakude, opened up the event by sharing the objective behind the inauguration of the summit. “We have been doing this for the past 18 years and it has been successful. We have a number of alumni.” Fakude said to the hopeful youth crowd and industry professionals who were there to share their expertise and extend opportunities. The CEO further expressed, “We pride ourselves that the 200 young South Africans award and recognition has become a part of people’s CVS.” Greg Solomon, the CEO of McDonalds’ South Africa, then took to the stage to share a message about leadership. Solomon expressed the importance of inclusion and developing more leaders who are female and previously marginalized. Through the McDonalds’ skills development programme, Solomon shared how young people are getting trained and given opportunities. With the Youth unemployment rate plummeting in South Africa, Solomon’s presentation offered some eye-opening insights leading into the breakaway sessions.
The breakaway sessions included a variety of subjects, leaving the attendees spoilt for choice. The sessions included Film and Media with Netflix, Financial Services with African Bank, Arts and Entertainment with Yfm, Technology and Innovation, Civil Society with Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Education with FUNDI, Business, Climate change and environment with McDonalds’, Entrepreneurship with NYDA and Health and wellness. The summit had a diverse list of panelists across all kinds of careers. Speakers included the likes of Socialite and entrepreneur Bonang Matheba, talented Actress Rosemary Zimu, Tandeka Matatu director of Film and content at NetflixSA, CEO of the NYDA Waseem Carrim and Writer and Director Lwazi Mvusi among other big names across multiple industries. Mail and Guardian also made certain to include some of their MG200 young South Africans alumni such as Octavius Phukubye, Nicole Mountain and Sandile Tshabalala for inspiration.
The event was great experience and offered multiple opportunities for networking. It was informative, educational and inspiring and it brought many young South Africans face to face with their role models, potential employers and investors for their businesses. With South Africa in the middle of uncertainty regarding the future ,it was deeply motivating to attend an event that showcased the opportunities that still exist for the youth. “The overall message that Mail and Guardian has sent to the Youth with the MG200 youth summit is, Keep going, we see you, we support you. Thanks Mail and Guardian.” said one of the attendees.
