Tag: entrepreneurship

Meet the inspiring kasipreneurs of the informal economy, from bakers to backroom rental barons, coffee innovators to goat breeders, kasi delivery people to spaza innovators, mattress makers, backroom builders, vetkoek fryers and chicken dust queens, kota franchises and backyard auto mechanics. These kasipreneurs not only sustain their communities but also drive considerable economic growth and social improvement.

Running a business is often portrayed as a path to independence and success. However, behind the scenes, many entrepreneurs quietly battle overwhelming levels of stress. In a survey of more than 400 early-stage startup founders, 72% reported that entrepreneurship has impacted their mental health. Of these, 37% suffer from anxiety.

So you have started a business. Now you are ready to stand out from the crowd, connect with the right customers, and grow. How do you do that? Here is a hint: you already hold all the answers. Sandwiched between giant brands and low-cost imports, it is easy for a small business owner to feel invisible.

What if leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but the most human? That’s the question Jeni-Anne Campbell, founder of JAW Advertising and the voice behind The Good Businesswoman, answers in her newly launched book, Feeding Unicorns. This refreshingly real and emotionally intelligent guide shows how to build businesses that people want to stay in.

South Africa's connectivity landscape tells a tale of two realities. In affluent suburbs, gigabit fibre connections are becoming commonplace. These enable seamless remote work, streaming and digital entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, in townships and informal settlements, home to millions of South Africans, residents struggle with expensive and unreliable mobile data as their primary internet access.

Nearly 3 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) employ more than 13 million South Africans. This Heritage Month, a single shopping choice can help secure those jobs. Every rand spent locally is a vote for jobs. We urge consumers to prioritise local businesses this Heritage Month.

It is no secret that South African small businesses demonstrate remarkable resilience and optimism despite ongoing challenges. At the forefront of this resilience is digitisation. It is proving to be a vital catalyst for continued growth. In fact, digitisation delivers better business outcomes every day.

South Africa is transitioning from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. The government aims to add at least 19 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. By 2050, the country targets as much as 190 GW. These targets are critical for climate resilience and energy security. Yet, the social design of this transition is dangerously overlooked.

You’ve put in the hours, written the exams and now graduation is on the horizon. But when should you start applying for jobs? How early is too early? Whether you’re completing a diploma, higher certificate, degree or even a postgraduate programme like a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), timing matters.

Supporting female entrepreneurs isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s also a business opportunity. Numerous studies show that women-led businesses are often more capital-efficient, demonstrate higher returns on investment and foster inclusive team cultures.