On the 22nd of May 2025, I had the opportunity to be part of the SPANA Sprint Accelerator close-out event in Standerton. It was one of those days that reminded me why spaces like this matter, especially for young people who are building from where they are and trying to turn ideas into something real. The programme had run for ten weeks, supporting over 20 young innovators from the Lekwa Local Municipality, and the finale marked a major milestone for everyone involved.

For me, the day was meaningful because I wasn’t there as a participant — I was there to contribute. I delivered the keynote address and also served on the judging panel for the pitch competition. That gave me the chance to speak from experience, but also to listen, assess, and engage with the energy in the room in a practical way.

What stood out most to me was the level of hunger in the room. You could see that many of the young people weren’t just presenting ideas — they were presenting vision. Some came with business ideas, others with businesses already in motion, and that mix reminded me that entrepreneurship looks different for everyone, but the need for encouragement, structure, and guidance is the same.

My keynote focused on the realities of entrepreneurship — the pressure, the discipline, the need to think practically, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. That’s always important to me, because I believe young entrepreneurs need more than motivation. They need honest conversations that help them move with clarity and purpose.

Being part of the SPANA Sprint Accelerator finale mattered to me because it was bigger than just a programme closing. It was about recognising the work these young people had put in, and being reminded that innovation does not only belong in big cities or expensive spaces. It lives wherever people are willing to build.