South Africa’s youth face one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. Instead of waiting for opportunities, some are creating their own. Yanga Giyose’s reward lies in building a successful law firm and inspiring others to do the same.
Born in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, Giyose completed his LLB at the University of Johannesburg. He faced the struggle of securing articles before gaining experience and qualifying as an attorney. In 2017, he registered his own firm, Giyose Incorporated Attorneys, after a previous partnership closed.
“I envisioned building a boutique firm with our own offices and a strong team,” says Giyose. “I wanted to be in charge of how I worked, how I practiced law, and to create an environment where legal work could be meaningful, empowering, and enjoyable again.”
Launching a business in the legal field has hurdles. Youth meant little track record, few contacts, and skepticism from potential clients.
“There was no trust at the beginning,” Giyose explains. “We didn’t have access to funding or high-value clients.”
In 2018, a year after launching, Giyose secured his first medium-sized client. That relationship continues today, serving as a foundation for the firm’s growth.
Giyose Incorporated Attorneys is now an established player in the legal space. Business Partners Limited enrolled Giyose Inc. on its supplier development programme, providing mentorship and support.
Youth forging own employment path
“Business Partners Limited were instrumental in fast-tracking our growth,” says Giyose. “We received support in areas like financial management, compliance, and strategic decision-making.
This gave us the courage to take bigger strides, faster than we would have managed on our own.”
David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, says supporting young entrepreneurs like Giyose is central to their mission. “South Africa’s young business owners have immense potential, but they often have limited access to resources, networks, and confidence to take their ideas forward. We see it as our responsibility to help close that gap and provide a launchpad for their growth,” says Morobe.
For Giyose, Youth Month is a reminder of the hidden opportunities across the country. “In my community, we didn’t have career days or exposure to professional opportunities. Many schools still don’t have these initiatives, but today’s youth have endless access to information.
If they apply themselves, they can do far more than we ever imagined.” He believes success lies in having a clear goal, breaking it down into daily steps, and committing to the process with discipline and consistency. Now that his business is stable, Giyose is determined to give back. “Timing is everything.
In the early days, survival came first. But now we’re finally in a position to help others. We’ve made key employments and brought on an intern.
We’re exploring opportunities to mentor and speak at youth-focused events.”
Giyose’s success reflects the importance of access to business development support and mentorship for young entrepreneurs. As South Africa grapples with economic challenges and youth unemployment, his journey is a case for investing in youth-led enterprises ready to lead.