South Africa’s entrepreneurial intention rates are among the lowest in Africa, and a growing number of “edu-preneurs” argue the fix starts long before matric. Four organisations are teaching business skills to school-age learners rather than waiting until after graduation.
Learning through play, not lectures
Young Entrepreneurs, launched by Danie Jacobs, works with children from age seven, using hands-on activities like tin art and jewellery-making to teach the full entrepreneurial cycle, from product idea through to selling at a market day.
Reframing risk and failure early
Wealth Creators, co-founded by Lisa Illingworth and Michael Griffin, deliberately teaches risk-taking to nine to 17 year olds while the stakes are still low and home overheads are covered, arguing entrepreneurship should be a career choice, not a fallback for those who can’t find a job.
Reaching scale through schools
Teen Entrepreneur, founded by Lydia Zingoni in 2007, runs a 15-module course through “Teacher Champions” in schools nationwide, turning business ideas into real, market-ready models. Step Up 2 a Startup, part of Primestar Marketing, has reached more than 15,000 secondary school learners with a similar focus on starting with existing resources rather than waiting for funding.
Frequently asked questions
Why teach entrepreneurship to school-age children?
South Africa’s entrepreneurial intention has declined and remains below the African average, and early exposure is linked to higher rates of successful business ownership later in life.
What age groups do these programmes target?
They range from as young as seven up to matric-age learners, depending on the specific programme.
Is Teen Entrepreneur still running?
Yes, it continues to operate school-based entrepreneurship programmes across South Africa.
Do these programmes require learners to already have money to start?
No, several explicitly teach learners to start with resources already available to them rather than seeking funding first.
What is the biggest benefit of teaching entrepreneurship young?
Learners can take small, low-stakes risks and learn from failure while their overheads are still covered by their families.
Further reading: 6 South African social entrepreneurs to know
Originally published in 2016. Updated September 2026.
