The money invested in the hosting of Lemo Fest will allow future generations to unlock their potential and reap the rewards. This is according to Freddie Kenney, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kenworth Group.
He was speaking at the media launch of the second edition of the festival on Thursday, 27 June. The first instalment was held last year during October at the Lemo Mall in Heidedal.
Kenney strongly explained and re-emphasised the decision to organise a festival of its magnitude in the heart of the township aligned with the vision of turning the township into a business investment venue.
“The R50 million plus invested into the festival aims at making it a catalyst to turn townships into investment places and youths into entrepreneurs, as well as to change the mindset that townships are crime hubs,” said Kenney.
“Through the Lemo Fest we need to give the youth a chance to make use of their innovative skills, and to put these into practice.
“We need to be hard on them, but also explain to them the way of doing business – and capacitate them with basic knowledge.”
The festival creates an opportunity for aspiring young businessmen and women or investors to get involved.
“If we neglect the youth, we can surely kiss the prosperous South Africa we dream and talk about, goodbye,” said Kenney.
Tying in with the vision to create investor opportunities, he said it was fitting having the slogan be “Rea Kasi” (We are going to the township).
Kenney said continued efforts were being made to allow future generations to reap the rewards of investments made in the small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) field today.
The event will feature different programmes.
The first leg, mainly for SMME’s – which include a fashion show – will be on 3, 4, and 6 September, with the second presentation between 4 and 12 October.
