A Visit to Aspire Youth
FESA co-founder Rod Benson recently visited Cape Town, meeting participants and learning about their journeys.
During a recent trip to Cape Town, I visited the offices of Aspire Youth in Bergvliet, a quiet suburb about 30 minutes from downtown. I wanted to learn more about Aspire Youth’s work helping disadvantaged young people start their own small businesses.
What I found was a clean, well-organized office staffed by a dedicated team of six. Aspire Youth has been operating for 15 years, and it was immediately clear that the people I met were experienced, capable, and deeply committed to their work.
I met with Mark Gamble (Aspire Youth’s Executive Director), who introduced me to the team. I spent time speaking with Ros, a long-serving employee who was curious about FESA’s role and what motivated us to help. I explained how much I had gained from South Africa — especially through my education — and that I wanted to give back in a way that was both meaningful and sustainable.
What stood out from the outset was the passion and empathy shared by everyone on staff. They understand that many of their students have experienced trauma in different aspects of their lives. Beyond business training, Aspire Youth provides support, encouragement, and mentorship as these young people navigate significant personal challenges.
I then met participants from each of the past four program intakes. They shared their aspirations and described how the program had shaped their journeys so far. One young entrepreneur has already started a hair salon from her home and is now looking to expand her services to include nails. It was genuinely inspiring.
The young people were also curious about my own experience of starting a business in Canada. I told them honestly that it was a struggle. Even with the advantages I had — education, language, and confidence — it still took years to establish a sustainable business. I encouraged them to maintain a clear vision, stay committed to it, and make time to work on their business, not just in it.
Later that day, one of Aspire Youth’s funders, National Bank, sent a delegation to assess the organization’s work. The entire Aspire Youth team participated in a highly professional presentation that further reinforced my confidence in their leadership and impact.
I left feeling energized and excited about the future. More importantly, I left convinced that we have found an ideal on-the-ground partner for FESA.
