As part of the second cohort of the 2026 youth entrepreneurship program iAccelerate SA continued its four-month cycle by holding Session 1B: Idealization (Part Two). At this meeting, high school students came together to identify current community problems and explore potential business solutions.
The session, held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, was based on the foundational skills gained in the cohort's introductory module. Working in groups, participants focused on identifying and presenting solutions for pressing local difficulties such as sanitation, public transport, and youth unemployment.
Overcoming Setbacks and Setting Goals
In line with iAccelerate SA's commitment to connecting participants with experienced industry representatives, invited speaker Dr. Brett Lindell Singh attended the session. He is a physician, entrepreneur, CEO of AOM Group, a Forbes 30 Under 30 laureate, and the first doctor featured on the cover of Forbes Africa. Dr. Singh shared insights from his professional and personal journey, urging young entrepreneurs to remain resilient when facing obstacles.
Dr. Singh noted: 'On my journey, I learned the importance of knowing what you want to do and continuing it, even when facing failures. All medical schools in South Africa rejected me, but I remained committed to the goal of becoming a doctor and eventually continued my studies abroad. I wanted to leave students with an understanding of the importance of having a clear vision for their future, understanding why they want to follow a certain path, and not letting failures define what they consider possible.'
Participant Thabo Mani highlighted the value of receiving advice from industry mentors and observing his peers' presentations. Mani stated: 'Today's session was very informative. We learned from each other and saw different ways of thinking and approaching problems. I also really enjoyed Dr. Brett's presentation and the story of his life, which I found very interesting. The presentations and idea sharing from other participants were also a great part of the session.'
Teamwork and Problem Solving are Key to Impact
Session 1B prioritized problem identification over hasty conclusions. Through structured exercises, teams challenged their own assumptions, gathered diverse perspectives, and formed initial hypotheses regarding the challenges they intend to solve.
Throughout the day, the focus was on teamwork dynamics, clear communication, and leveraging individual strengths to achieve common goals. The session concluded with teams setting objectives and preparing for the upcoming stages of the initiative. Launched in November 2024, iAccelerate SA provides a four-month core program that equips young South Africans with mentorship, practical tools, and real-world experience. In the coming months, the 2026 cohort will continue to refine its projects before presenting final concepts to the jury during the program's Pitch Day.