This study focuses on young male necessity entrepreneurs based in Soshanguve township. It identifies unemployment as the primary factor that compels young people to seek selfemployment opportunities. The study engages the participants on the challenges they encounter in business ventures and how they overcome them. Of particular importance, is the role of social networks in necessity entrepreneurship. In this regard, evidence suggests that entrepreneurs with strong social networks establish more successful business ventures than entrepreneurs with weak social networks. In light of the challenges that most necessity entrepreneurs encounter, building social networks is a strategy that places their business ventures on a secure footing. / Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Sociology / unrestricted