Multinational technology company Samsung South Africa is venturing into the social enterprise space with the launch of a new campaign that aims to find innovative ways to alleviate one of South Africa’s biggest issues: youth unemployment. The “Mixed Talents” campaign forms part of Samsung’s global “Launching People” initiative, which will see people from different backgrounds and areas being paired together to combine their knowledge and use technology to devise creative solutions.

According to Stats SA’s youth labour market report released on Jun 29 2015, the youth unemployment rate has been increasing since 2008. Of the 19.7 million working age young people in the country only 6.2 million were employed, with 3.6 million being unemployed and 9.8 million being completely economically inactive. The economically inactive include frustrated job seekers, homemakers and full-time students.

In light of these statistics, Samsung has identified entrepreneurship as playing a key role in potentially relieving youth unemployment and seeks to harness the full potential of young people to activate their self-sustainability.

Carol Koffman and Jonathan Liebmann, an executive coach and a property entrepreneur respectively, will lead a series of interactive workshops in Johannesburg and Durban between October and November. The idea behind the workshops is help millennials identify and realise their entrepreneurial potential. Samsung is looking to take their innovation beyond technological advancements and start enriching people’s lives through the campaign. It’s about shifting the focus from selling products to finding original and creative solutions.

If the names of the two experts sound familiar it’s because they are both very prominent figures in their respective fields. Koffman is one of Deloitte South Africa’s Senior Managers and a qualified executive coach, and Liebmann is the man behind the renowned Maboneng Precinct urban renewal project. Bringing such knowledge and expertise to tackle a truly South African challenge is testament to Samsung’s commitment to unlocking human potential.

See what happens when Samsung combines two talents with Samsung technology. You can also be a part of the idea. Follow the link to find out more about their project http://goo.gl/GMjKnC

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