22 uj/rAymond AckermAn AcAdemy oF entrepreneuriAl development Dr Raymond Ackerman in 2009, the Centre for Entrepreneurship entered into a partnership with the Raymond ackerman foundation (Raf) to assist township-based youth (18-35 years) from underprivileged backgrounds to access employment, entrepreneurship and/or academic opportunities designed to help them participate meaningfully in the mainstream economy, thereby creating sustainable livelihoods. the core mandate of the partnership is to develop a culture of entrepreneurship among south african youth through a programme known as the Raymond ackerman academy of Entrepreneurial development (Raa-Ed). the Raa-Ed programme, offered at the university of Johannesburg soweto Campus, is a six-month programme pegged at nQf level 4, which comprises innovation, problem solving and business development which graduated learners from idea phase to business start-up. the programme is complemented by an additional twelve months of structured mentorship to help learners translate in-class learning into practical application in respective start-ups. since inception, the partnership has supported approximately 500 township youth based in greater Johannesburg metropolitan. in 2019, the partnership supported and successfully graduated 60 learners. of the 60 learners, 30 leaners started their own businesses, which are seed funded by the Raymond ackerman foundation. dr rAymond AckermAn, Founder oF the rAymond AckermAn FoundAtion, hAs included the rAA-ed progrAmme in his will As A legAcy progrAmme.
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