Bokamoso Ramphomane

Glenvista High
Grade 11

Re ection diaries

Re ection Diary: Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Orientation

Today was a special day at Yled , it was orientation day for YEC. The day

started o with a buzz and everybody nally reuniting o cially for the rst time

with their teams after the break we had , nally being able to see my friends and

fellow cohort.

One thing that stood out to me was when a speaker said that anyone can be

an entrepreneur, even a begging man on the side of the road, as long as he is

making money. This really opened my eyes. It made me realise that

entrepreneurship is not just about having a big company or fancy products. It's

about using what you have to make a living. This idea was so powerful and

inspiring.

During the orientation, we also got to pick our team names. It was a fun and

creative process. My team decided on the name "Afrikan Fusion” ( we later changed

to Nala noir which means success in Swahili ).We chose this name because we

wanted something that represented the blending of di erent cultures and ideas.

Our slogan is "Fusing Cultures, Forming Identities." We believe that by combining

our unique backgrounds and perspectives, we can create something truly special.

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 This name and slogan represent our vision perfectly.I'm really excited about the

journey ahead. This challenge is not just a competition for me; it's a chance to

learn and grow. I'm looking forward to working with my team and applying the

lessons we learned today. I want to take these lessons into my future career and

life. Learning that entrepreneurship is about creativity and using what you have is

a lesson I will never forget. It has inspired me to look at every opportunity

di erently.

I plan to take the knowledge and skills I gain from this challenge and use them

in my future careers . Whether it's starting my own business or working in a team, I

now understand the importance of creativity, collaboration, and hard work. This

orientation has given me a new perspective, and I can't wait to see where this

journey takes me.

In conclusion, today was an incredible start to the Youth Entrepreneurship

Challenge. The lessons learned, especially about the true meaning of

entrepreneurship, have already had a big impact on me. With my team Afrikan

Fusion and our powerful slogan, I feel ready and excited for the challenges and

opportunities ahead. This journey is going to be amazing, and I am determined to

make the most of it.

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 Re ection Diary: Business Planning Session for Afrikan Fusion

Today's business planning session at the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

was both exciting and challenging as we worked towards de ning our brand and

roles within our team, Afrikan Fusion.

We started the day by presenting our company name, Afrikan Fusion, to our

mentors and peers. The name re ects our vision of blending diverse African

cultures into a uni ed identity. It symbolises our commitment to celebrating

cultural richness and diversity, which we believe is a unique selling point for our

products.

Next, we unveiled our logo, which encapsulates our brand message of "Fusing

Cultures, Forming Identities." The logo features intertwined patterns and colours

inspired by various African cultures, symbolising unity and harmony. Each element

was carefully chosen to visually represent our mission of cultural fusion and

identity formation.

As part of our presentation, we discussed our slogan in depth. "Fusing

Cultures, Forming Identities" encapsulates our commitment to cultural integration

and individual expression. It communicates our goal to create products that not

only celebrate diversity but also empower individuals to express their unique

identities through our o erings.

During this session, we also nalised the positions within our team. I was

honoured to be appointed as the Head of Marketing. This role involves

strategising how to e ectively promote our products, reach our target audience,

and build a strong brand presence in the marketplace. I'm excited about the

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 opportunity to use my creativity and passion for communication to drive our

marketing e orts forward.

Overall, today's session was pivotal in de ning our brand identity and setting

clear roles within our team. It reinforced our commitment to cultural diversity and

innovation. Moving forward, I'm eager to collaborate with my teammates to bring

our vision of Afrikan Fusion to life, ensuring that our products resonate with

customers and make a meaningful impact in the marketplace.

Re ection Diary: YEC Boot Camp at FNB Bank City

Day : Human Relations and Vision Boards

The rst day at the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge boot camp was a mix

of excitement and nerves. We started by learning about human relations—how

people interact and work together in teams. It was eye-opening to see that good

communication, respect, and understanding each other's viewpoints are crucial for

success. We discussed what helps build strong relationships and what can create

misunderstandings, which was important as we began forming our teams.

Personally, presenting my vision board was a daunting experience. It forced

me to think deeply about my goals and dreams. Choosing images and words that

represented my aspirations made me feel vulnerable yet determined. It pushed me

out of my comfort zone and made me realise the importance of setting clear goals,

even if it feels scary at rst.

Selling shares has been was another challenge. It was tough because it meant

putting myself out there and facing potential rejection. It made me confront my

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 fear of failure and rejection head-on. Despite the initial discomfort, I learned that

resilience and perseverance are key in entrepreneurship. Every "no" brings you

closer to a "yes," and each rejection is a chance to learn and improve.

Unfortunately, our team faced some con ict. We had disagreements that

slowed us down compared to other teams who quickly nalised their product

ideas. This taught us the importance of e ective communication and compromise

in team dynamics. Resolving con icts became a priority to move forward united

and focused.

Day : Marketing and Sales Strategies

As the Head of marketing for our company , Day was particularly engaging.

We learnt about various marketing strategies, from digital campaigns to traditional

advertising. Learning how to create customer personas—imaginary pro les of our

ideal customers—was enlightening. It helped us understand who our target

audience is, their needs, and how we can e ectively reach them.

However, our team continued to face challenges with teamwork. Some

members were not consistently contributing, which slowed our progress. It was

frustrating because decisions were sometimes made without everyone's input,

causing delays and misunderstandings. This highlighted the importance of clear

roles and responsibilities within our team structure.

Day : Product Research and Operations

Wednesday was eventful (even though I missed the session) , despite having a

doctor's appointment. I made the most of the day researching potential suppliers

for products like lunch tins, thermal cups, and tote bags at places like China Mall

and Dragon City. This hands-on experience taught me about sourcing and quality

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 control, which are crucial for delivering products that meet customer expectations.

Meanwhile, I heard from friends that the operations and production session was

highly informative. Understanding how products are manufactured and delivered

to customers underscored the signi cance of e cient operations. It emphasised

the need for planning and attention to detail at every stage of the production

process to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.

Day : Finance

Finance day was undoubtedly the most challenging session. We learnt about

the di erent nancial books. Watching the session leader ll out complex nancial

books on the excel spreadsheet made me grateful that I hadn't taken on the nance

or accountant roles within our team. It was a reminder of how crucial nancial

literacy is for making informed business decisions and ensuring the sustainability

of a venture.

Day : Career Day and Re ections

The nal day focused on planning for our future careers. We discussed the

importance of academic performance, university applications, and securing

scholarships. It was a wake-up call about how our current marks and choices can

impact our future opportunities, including university admissions and nancial aid.

Looking back on the week, our team experienced ups and downs.We

struggled as the ‘underdog’, which brought immense pressure, especially when

some team members weren't fully committed. However, as the week progressed, we

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 started working better together. We nalised our product ideas and suddenly

everything felt more positive and achievable.

In conclusion, the YEC boot camp was a transformative experience. It taught

me resilience, teamwork, and the importance of clear communication and planning

in business. I'm excited to apply these lessons in my future endeavour’s, whether in

entrepreneurship or academics. The challenges we faced only strengthened our

determination to succeed, and I'm grateful for the growth and friendships formed

during this intense but rewarding week.

Re ection Diary: YEC Session on Business Canvas

Today's session at the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) focused on

the Business Model Canvas, and it was incredibly engaging. The speaker's

enthusiasm and clarity kept me hooked throughout the session as they explained

each feature of the canvas in detail. From identifying customer segments to

mapping out revenue streams and cost structures, every aspect was carefully

dissected to show how businesses can plan and operate e ectively.

Re ecting on the previous week at the boot camp, it was undoubtedly

challenging for our team. We faced numerous con icts and disagreements that

tested our patience and teamwork. However, amidst these challenges, we began to

see small but signi cant progress. This session on the Business Model Canvas felt

like a turning point for us—a moment of clarity and focus.

Interestingly, our team was the only one to receive praise for our market

research presentation. We were even asked why we were pricing our product so

low compared to competitors. This feedback was a validation of our hard work

and strategic thinking. It made us realise that our past con icts and arguments,

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 though tough to navigate, ultimately pushed us to develop a product with broad

market appeal.

Our journey from discord to innovation highlighted the power of constructive

con ict. The debates and di erent perspectives within our team led us to consider

diverse customer needs and preferences. This process helped us re ne our

product idea into something that could attract a wide range of customers,

regardless of their background or location.

Looking ahead, I'm excited about applying the insights gained from today's

session and the lessons learned from our team dynamics. The Business Model

Canvas has equipped us with a structured approach to re ne our business idea

further and ensure we consider all aspects crucial to our success. As we continue

to re ne our strategy and product o ering, I'm optimistic about our team's ability

to not only compete but thrive in the upcoming challenges of the YEC.

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