The Futurepreneur Academy, launched in 2021, is an initiative between Futurelife and Afrika Tikkun Services (ATS) that is financially empowering young South Africans. It offers a learnership programme that equips budding entrepreneurs with the training, skills and expert guidance to build and accelerate their businesses, selling Futurelife nutritional products at affordable prices in local communities.
Prenessa Naidoo, the brand manager at Futurelife, says that the company’s goal is to contribute to creating thriving South African communities and fostering economic growth by investing in youth. “We started this journey with 15 ‘futurepreneurs’ in Johannesburg. We have since expanded to Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal and with our parent company, PepsiCo’s exciting plans to expand the programme, we can develop and empower even more futurepreneurs,” she said.
Marketing and salespeople as well as dieticians mentor the learners and provide business development, sales and marketing support. Two dedicated distributors, Sonke and Plan A Management, purchase and resell the products to them at a Futurelife approved rate. “Thus our futurepreneurs are equipped with all the necessary tools to build a sustainable business selling Futurelife products,” stated Naidoo.
This direct interaction provides the academy’s learners with life-changing opportunities and two candidates who have made the most of this are Vathiswa Mazwi and Megan Pillay. Johannesburg-based, Vathiswa Mazwi’s journey as a futurepreneur has been characterised by resilience and an unwavering commitment to succeed. “I joined the Futurepreneur Academy as a sales ambassador in 2021 and from the start, I put everything into the role because I wanted to make the most of the opportunity,” Mazwi shares.
She says this drive helped her to make sales and expand the reach of Futurelife in her community. Recognising her exceptional dedication and leadership potential, she earned herself greater responsibility and today she is Head of Administration- a testament to her growth.
“The Futurepreneur Academy was more than just a learning opportunity, it was a transformative experience that shaped me into the leader I am today. I hope that my journey will inspire others on their own paths to success,” Mazwi added.
