Governance and Business
s s e n i s u B s e k SABEF Ta s p i h s n w o T o t s Opportunitie
with Sfiso Msiza, Director, Matsi Modise um National Executive Lebo Gunguluza For er, eur mb ren me ng rep ndi Ent ck fou ector and South African Bla National Operations Dir
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he South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum has launched a unique six month SME development programme that seeks to promote, inspire and grow entrepreneurship in townships across the country.
academia, technical business training, motivation and inspiration.
Commission, Legal Nexus and many more.
“The main idea of the programme is to develop and expose the brightest and best minds to entrepreneurs and SME owners in our townships.
SABEF is a non-profit organization and was established in 2002 by a dynamic group of entrepreneurs who were trailblazers in the early days of economic transformation in South Africa.
“SABEF Strongly believes in making an impact one step and in a one community at a time. It has taken South Africa a full century to achieve political emancipation. It might take another century to achieve economic liberation,” says Modise.
Academic and business experts include, Dr Thami Mazwai, known as the custodian of South Africa’s township entrepreneurs; Kelly Ritchie, SABEF Global patron; Keith Levenstein; Timothy Webster; Nomonde Mesatywa from the DTI; Carle Bates and international motivational speaker, Yaa Ashantewaa.
SABEF National Executive Director, Matsi Modise said the programme is aimed at bringing business opportunities to communities and exposing upcoming and aspiring entrepreneurs to the best business experts from South Africa and across the world. The programme, known as the Kasito-Kasi SME Development Tour, seeks to be a hybrid of information sharing and technical training for township entrepreneurs and small business owners. Modise said the tour is a first of its kind signature programme that integrates 20
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Workshops and training will be conducted in various townships in various provinces where aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners will engage on various critical components of business, such as law compliance, business etiquette, access to funding, small business tax and issues of youth development. This initiative is in partnership with Wits Business School, Timothy Webster, Sales Partner, South African Revenue Services, Department of Trade and Industry, Companies and Intellectual Property
SABEF’s objective is to facilitate the entry of emerging entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy, through access to markets, networking, lobbying and advocacy. The organisation implements solution-focused development and networking programmes aimed at ensuring the growth and sustainability of the emerging business sector in the country. It also brings focus on the empowerment and development of SMEs in communities that are remote from economic prospects. It promotes their business concepts, products and services for funding and capacity building opportunities. For more information visit www.sabef.org.za
