Too many young people see food entrepreneurship as the way in, and find that without the right technical knowledge, the door does not open, the writer says.
South Africa’s food and beverage sector is dominated by small businesses.
They account for 87,3% of businesses in the sector, yet the skills gap facing their owners is one of the least discussed barriers to growth. For young entrepreneurs in particular, the challenge is acute.
Youth unemployment sits at 60,9% for those aged 15 to 24 and 40,6% for those aged 25 to 34, according to Stats South Africa's Q1 2026 data.
Too many young people see food entrepreneurship as the way in, and find that without the right technical knowledge, the door does not open.
