I attended the opening of the new bigger and better premises for the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg this afternoon (after taking photos of Lesego’s studio for the centre).

The Branson Centre was opened in 2006 in Johannesburg, and they’ve just moved to bigger premises on Melle str in Braamfontein (right in the heart of where all the regeneration is taking place).  It’s going to be a gorgeous place once it’s been properly kitted out, but you can already see the potential with spaces ready for an internet cafe and meeting rooms and training facilities.

The event was also held to introduce the new CEO, Tracey Webster, to the entrepreneurs.  After listening to her talk, and the talks given by her team, this is going to be one exciting place to be a part of in the coming months.

All the entrepreneurs were given baby indigenous trees to plant… as take home gifts.  LOVE that idea!

Tracey Webster, the new CEO of Branson Centre and Virgin Unite Africa (she’s the ex CEO of the Starfish Foundation), spoke about the plans for the centre in 2012.

This guy, Yashwin Mohan, owns a company called Game Over, and he’s developed new games arcade machines… and he was telling me that his new dance machine for kids is going to be installed in the Virgin Active gyms!!

Blessing is also quite amazing… he has his own clothing label and also manufactures a range of soft home furnishings

This lady, Lorcia, owns an events and catering company… and she organised all the food and drinks for this afternoon’s event.  During the presentation we watched a video about her, and she lives in Meadowlands in Soweto and is involved with a group that are trying to organise a tourism route in Meadowlands.

There was such a buzz of energy in the building, with all these people with wonderful ideas and plans… and they’re actually living their dreams.  Such an inspiring bunch of people.  As for the new location… it’s absolutely perfect and is so close to the new markets and redeveloped parts of the city… this is going to be a place that everyone will want to be.

If you were at the event, these photos and a few more have been put into a Facebook album.  If you “like” the Facebook page you’ll be able to tag yourself there.