Next generation of changemakers participate in first iAccelerate SA session, Ideate

The  iAccelerate SA Session 1: Ideate, held on Friday, 16 January, and Saturday, 17 January, marked the beginning of an exciting journey for South Africa’s next generation of changemakers. With a mission to empower ambitious youth by equipping them with the skills, networks, and opportunities to turn ideas into sustainable impact, iAccelerate SA guides participants through experiential learning, mentorship, and practical entrepreneurial training.

Friday, 16 January (16:00–19:00)

The programme opened with a welcome and introduction by Rayhaan Survé founder of iAccelerate SA, setting the tone for a collaborative and engaging experience. Students participated in an icebreaker activity, a “15 questions” game, which encouraged them to engage with peers and get to know them better.

Lead facilitator Sibulelo Mafrika, supported by assistant facilitator Omolola Bello, introduced students to entrepreneurship concepts through the I-We-It Process and Lean Startup methodology. Students then took part in the Dare Greatly Game, a mindset challenge designed to foster resilience and creative thinking.

A standout session featured Elliott Schwartz, an entrepreneur and storyteller from Los Angeles. Through “The Worst Idea Workshop”, students generated and presented deliberately bad business ideas, then creatively transformed them into viable concepts a practical lesson in innovation and problem-solving.

The day concluded with an ideation exercise, where students mapped their skills, values, resources, and needs to begin shaping ideas for pitching on Day 2. Participants were also introduced to the Lean Canvas framework in preparation for Saturday.

Saturday, 17 January (10:00–16:00)

The second day began with a recap of Day 1 and the completion of a small idea pitch template. Students presented their business ideas in short two-minute pitches, after which teams were formed based on peer voting on which of these ideas they thought were the best.

Teamwork and collaboration were emphasised through the Marshmallow Challenge, a hands-on activity requiring groups to build the tallest stable tower using spaghetti and marshmallows, this was a team building excercise.

Guest speakers included:

• Karl Carter, founder and CEO of Snake Nation (Atlanta & Cape Town), who shared insights on entrepreneurship, multicultural creativity, and navigating global business landscapes.
• Jorgina Heugh, founder and CEO of Adore Her by G, who discussed the challenges and successes of launching a startup and provided guidance for early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Additionally, Sulaiman Jassiem introduced himself as a mentor, shared his entrepreneurial journey, and answered students’ questions about his work. 
• Following the talks, Mentors, including Sulaiman Jassiem and Jorgina Heugh, engaged with each group to provide feedback and support for idea refinement.
• The session concluded with a closing circle and feedback survey, allowing students to reflect on their learning and overall experience.

Facilitators, Mentors, and Guest Speakers

• Sibulelo Mafrika – Lead facilitator, Cape Town-born entrepreneur and business strategist. Sibulelo helps startups and individuals turn ideas into impact through practical, results-driven guidance, combining business experience with digital and operational expertise.
• Omolola (Lola) Bello – Assistant facilitator, holding a Bachelor of Social Science in Organisational Psychology and Industrial Sociology. Lola supports young people exploring entrepreneurship, creating engaging learning spaces, and applying design thinking to real-world problems.
• Sulaiman Jassiem – Mentor, providing guidance and feedback to student teams. Sulaiman shared his entrepreneurial journey, introduced himself as a mentor, and answered students’ questions about his work, helping them refine ideas and improve team collaboration.
• Jorgina Heugh – Mentor, founder and CEO of Adore Her by G, a beauty and lifestyle brand built on confidence and purpose. Jorgina shares her experiences with early-stage startups and provides guidance to young entrepreneurs.
• Karl Carter – Guest speaker, founder and CEO of Snake Nation (Atlanta & Cape Town), a company empowering young multicultural creators and coders to enter the global creative economy. Karl has over 20 years of experience in entertainment and innovation, leading award-winning campaigns for brands such as P&G, Verizon, Nissan, and Guinness.
• Elliott Schwartz – Guest speaker, entrepreneur and storyteller based in Los Angeles. Elliott helps businesses craft compelling narratives and has a track record of founding successful ventures, including a private jet company and expanding a cosmetic brand to 3,000 stores. He is also a long-time advocate for youth entrepreneurship, having chaired the NFTE eCouncil for over 10 years.

About iAccelerate SA

Launched in November 2024, the iAccelerate SA Flagship Programme empowers ambitious youth across South Africa to ideate, innovate, initiate, and iterate on entrepreneurial solutions. The four-month programme nurtures creativity, resilience, and leadership, enabling students to tackle real-world challenges, prototype solutions, and develop sustainable ventures. Through mentorship, workshops, and access to networks and resources, iAccelerate SA is building a generation of young changemakers ready to create meaningful impact across the country.