Metropolitan’s Collective Shapers (MCS) programme is shifting this narrative by adopting a holistic approach that combines financial literacy, mindset coaching, and mental health support to empower young entrepreneurs.
“The Metropolitan Collective Shapers (MCS) programme is not just one that provides financial assistance but provides a holistic approach to entrepreneurship,” explains Phumla Mavundla, Head of Marketing at Metropolitan.
The programme aims to transform youth passion into sustainable impact while addressing an often-overlooked issue in entrepreneurship: mental health. According to UNICEF South Africa, 60% of young people in the country require mental health support, yet most entrepreneurial programmes fail to consider this pressing need.
Entrepreneurs face significant pressures ranging from financial strain to societal expectations. Without proper mental health support, these challenges can result in burnout, anxiety, and business failure. “Supporting the mind behind the mission is not just good ethics, it’s good business,” says Mavundla, stressing why mental health support is a key pillar of MCS.
Psychologist Dr Tshepiso Matentjie agrees, noting that young entrepreneurs often dwell on setbacks, expending more energy on failure than on recovery and growth. She emphasises that mental health support is not a luxury, but a necessity. “By proactively addressing mental health through coaching, peer support, and workshops, programmes can empower youth to build sustainable businesses and healthier personal lives,” she says.
MCS also works to normalise mental health conversations, breaking down stigmas that perpetuate silence around personal struggles. By fostering a culture of resilience, authenticity, and collective strength, the programme aims to create entrepreneurs who are not only business-ready but also emotionally equipped to thrive.
Unlike other initiatives that emphasise quick wins like pitch competitions, MCS offers a long-term, integrated, and youth-centric approach. This is critical in a country where unemployment stands at 31.9% and entrepreneurship is increasingly a necessity rather than a choice.
“Too many programmes assume that if we give entrepreneurs capital, they’ll thrive. But no amount of funding can make up for burnout or poor decision-making under stress,” says Mavundla. “Entrepreneurs need resilience, emotional agility, and long-term strategic clarity.”
Through accredited mental health support, modular training, financial literacy coaching, networking opportunities, and modest business funding, the MCS programme is equipping South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed — not just in business, but in life.
