Neo Lekutle, Patrick Ebong Ebewo, Richard Shambare
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of the post-COVID-19 Environment on youth’s entrepreneurial intention in Gauteng province. To test this relationship and attempt to answer the research question, “To what extent does the post-COVID-19 environment influence youths’ entrepreneurial intentions?” a conceptual model that was a replication and extension of Ebewo’s model and supported by the Theory of Planned Behaviour was adopted. Data was collected from 825 youths in the five districts in Gauteng province, through stratified sampling, using a self-administered questionnaire. The results provide evidence that the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention: attitude towards entrepreneurship and perceived environmental support directly influence entrepreneurial intention, except perceived entrepreneurial abilities. Participation in entrepreneurship leadership was observed to positively influence youths’ intention to become an entrepreneur by altering their attitude towards entrepreneurship. Furthermore, providing entrepreneurship-specific education can stimulate the youth’s entrepreneurial intentions, thereby prompting them to venture into entrepreneurship. Based on the above, it is recommended that there should be engagements with youth, and prominent entrepreneurs which trainees can gain practical and valuable business lessons from. Policymakers are encouraged to ensure the implementation of regulations that are conducive to business operations.