Media are invited to a launch at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017 at American Corner Pretoria, located in Es’kia Mphahlele Community Library in the Sammy Marks Square

PRETORIA, South Africa, April 19, 2017/APO/ -- 

The U.S Embassy in Pretoria has partnered with Speak Afrika and Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA) to deliver the first-ever “Desert Start-up Bootcamp” in Tshwane. Chosen from nearly 180 applicants, a select group of 55 aspiring entrepreneurs from Tshwane will hone their skills in a three-month experiential learning program at the American Corner Pretoria. The U.S. Embassy is sponsoring this program as a part of worldwide efforts to support young entrepreneurs who spur growth and promote trade. “Desert Start-up Bootcamp” participants will meet weekly for workshops, pitching sessions, and mentoring and engagement with established business leaders. The “Bootcamp” will culminate in August, 2017 with a pitch competition that will set the foundation for participants to build their client networks and investments in their business.

The “Bootcamp” will culminate in August, 2017 with a pitch competition that will set the foundation for participants to build their client networks and investments

Media are invited to a launch at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017 at American Corner Pretoria, located in Es’kia Mphahlele Community Library in the Sammy Marks Square. All interested media should RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Speak Afrika is a youth-run education organization established in 2014 by alumni of the U.S. State Department’s Mandela Washington Fellowship. The founders are committed to developing entrepreneurial skills and leadership competencies among young people. Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA), an organisation which supports socio-economic development through the effective resourcing of the non-profit sector, is supporting the U.S. Embassy to deliver the youth leadership, entrepreneurship and STEM programming at the U.S. Embassy’s American Corner Pretoria and Mae Jemison U.S. Science Reading located at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus. The American Corner Pretoria, established in 2015 in partnership with the City of Tshwane, is located in Es’kia Mphahlele Community Library in the Sammy Marks Square. The American Corner, which provides high-speed Internet access and state of the art equipment, together with print and digital resources was established to promote research, professional development, and personal enrichment.  In its endeavor to strengthen ties in education and culture with South Africa, the American Corner also serves as a place for collaboration and discussion to foster young leaders and entrepreneurs and create opportunities to build relationships with peers in the United States.

Distributed by APO on behalf of U.S. Embassy Pretoria, South Africa.