Opportunities and challenges of young social entrepreneurs in Phuthaditjhaba: Social entrepreneurship, community development and socio-economic challenges

Orientation: There has been growing research interest in social entrepreneurship, both global and local levels; little is known about the youth who participate in or aspire to be social entrepreneurs in South Africa’s rural-urban communities. Research purpose: This study explored the opportunities and challenges of young social entrepreneurs’ experience in addressing socio-economic challenges affecting rural-urban villages of Phuthaditjhaba, Free State. Motivation for the study: This study was thus motivated by the need to investigate the opportunities and challenges youth encounter in becoming social entrepreneurs in Phuthaditjhaba. Research design, approach and method: This study adopted a case study design of a qualitative research approach to investigate the above-mentioned purpose of the research. Thirteen participants who were identified as active social entrepreneurs, aspiring social entrepreneurs and representatives from youth development support organisations between the ages of 22 and 35 years were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. Main findings: Findings indicate that the main challenges confronting young social entrepreneurs are the unavailability of infrastructure and resources for social enterprises, ineffective collaboration between the community, government and social enterprises, and difficulties in social enterprises registration. Opportunities for young social entrepreneurs include gaining inspiring hands-on experience to establish a social business from other agencies, selling, international recognition, development of healthy networks with stakeholders, etc. Practical/managerial implications: This study has implications for young aspiring social entrepreneurs and active social entrepreneurs in rural-urban villages, addressing socio-economic issues through the application of social entrepreneurship. Contribution/value-add: The formation of youth-led social entrepreneurship targeted interventions is essential to enhance youth empowerment in social entrepreneurship and positive impact maximisation in rural-urban communities.