Developing a methodology to reduce youth unemployment in South Africa

Small businesses are vital for the well-being of an economy and the livelihoods of the citizens of a country. The nation of South Africa is currently faced with three main economic challenges namely, poverty, income inequality, and unemployment (Center for Development and Enterprise and Parliament of South Africa, 2017). The purpose of this study is to design a model to support youth cultural entrepreneurs involved in drama (theatre), arts, crafts, music, manufacturing of beads, and design of traditional apparel and painting to help alleviate youth unemployment. The researcher utilized a quantitative research method with an econometric regression. Secondary data was sourced from Statistics South Africa, the South African Reserve Bank, Quantec, and the Department of Higher Education and Training websites. The results of the econometric regression model show that Investment by entrepreneurial education and training (investment in entrepreneurial education and training by the Government and private sector) and Employment in Arts and Culture has a direct influence on the dependent variable youth unemployment.