Local entrepreneurs ‘wish-list’ for the 2017 Budget Speech
As South Africa gears up for the 2017 National Budget Speech in anticipation for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to deliver Government’s expenditure and focus areas for the year ahead, we sat down with a few of the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition winners to obtain their expectations for the upcoming speech. Michael Roberts, MD […]
Solving SA’s unemployment crisis through entrepreneurship
While the unemployment rate for the fourth quarter of 2016 as released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday decreased from 27.1% (Quarter 3 of 2016) to 26.5%, urgent action and support structures are still required in order for local entrepreneurs to do what they do best – create jobs. This is according to Kobus Engelbrecht, […]
Alternative ways to seek education – think entrepreneurship
Despite the high demand placed on tertiary education in South Africa, only a small percentage of the 700 000 recent high school graduates are expected to be placed in institutions of higher learning as the new academic year begins. Largely owing to finances, or a lack of space to accommodate current and new students, many school […]
What makes entrepreneurs go the distance?
Building your own business is not a sprint, but a marathon, with hills, headwinds, heat and dust. Those who succeed are not necessarily the fastest or the strongest. The successful ones are those who are able to endure. Anton Roelofse, regional general manager of Business Partners Limited (BUSINESS/PARTNERS), has over many years seen hundreds of […]
Give before you expect to receive
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market In business the general view is that there is no such thing as a “free lunch”. This implies that, if a consumer within your target market receives something free from a business, there is always an expected quid pro quo. If this is the conventional wisdom, the question […]
Most attractive sectors for entrepreneurs in 2017
By Christo Botes Spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS 2016 was a tough year for many South Africans – and small businesses took a hard knock as the local economy experienced many challenges to overcome. Despite this testing environment, there are certain sectors that are ripe with […]
Most attractive sectors for entrepreneurs in 2017
2016 was a tough year for many South Africans – and small businesses took a hard knock as the local economy experienced many challenges to overcome. Despite this testing environment, there are certain sectors that are ripe with opportunity for astute entrepreneurs to capitalise on in 2017. This is according to Christo Botes, spokesperson for […]
Is it riskier than ever to start a business?
As 2016 nears an end many begin to re-evaluate the year that was, both personally and professionally. As a result this is typically the time of the year new life and professional goals are developed. This is also characteristically a time when hopeful entrepreneurs consider whether the approaching year is the correct time to pursue […]
Entrepreneurial innovation is key to improving the local education sector
The South African education sector has been thrust into the spotlight again recently, eliciting many questions, debates and varying opinions about potential solutions to an ongoing challange. Amid all the negativity currently being reported on, 2016 Innovator of the Year® award winners, Ryan Harrison and Stacey Brewer of SPARK Schools, remain inspired as ever to […]
Financial advice from entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs
The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® winners share the best financial advice they have ever received. Given the current challenging economic climate with South Africa’s GDP growth expected to remain flat at 0.1% for the year according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it is becoming increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs to ensure the financial sustainability […]