After 20 years of running an informal business, a Port Elizabeth business owner finally registered her business thanks to assistance from the South African Chemical Technology Incubator (Chemin). Now she plans to reap the benefits of a more structured approach. What is your name and your business name? Helen Hoelson. The name of the business… [Continue Reading]
Chemical technology businesses can expect a rise in support, as the South African Chemical Technology Incubator (Chemin) opens another centre. Small Business Connect spoke to incubation manager Pezisa Sobuza on what the incubator offers both on-site and through “virtual” programmes. What is the name of your incubator? What is the meaning behind the name? The… [Continue Reading]
Recently featured in Forbes Africa, Simpiwe Malotana, an avid Small Business Connect reader who co-owns Obsido Interiors with Aubrey Dolweni says he started reading the print edition of Small Business Connect. He enjoys reading the newspaper so much that he now subscribes to the Small Business Connect monthly newsletter while he continues to regularly access… [Continue Reading]
In a society with diverse religious beliefs, employers are challenged not only to be tolerant, but also to accommodate diversity in the workplace. Given employers’ need for efficiency in producing goods or providing services, the question is to what extent employees’ religious beliefs and practices must be accommodated. What guiding principles have the courts provided?… [Continue Reading]
Business owner Kopano Ntsoane, co-founder of Modern Entertainment, credits the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation (Medo) Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Youth Incubator with the growth he has seen in his business in the last four months. Here’s what he had to say… How long have you participated in the incubator programme and when will you… [Continue Reading]
In this month’s incubator focus, we travel to the technology incubator of Medo – short for the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation. We spoke to Noluthando Tutani, the project manager at Medo to learn more about the incubator’s services. What is the name of your incubator? The incubator is called the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation (Medo)… [Continue Reading]
Do you read every edition of Small Business Connect? Interestingly, over 36% of readers get every edition of the newspaper. This is one of the preliminary findings of the still ongoing readership survey. The readership survey was published in the April edition of the newspaper, with more replies being captured daily. “While the final survey results… [Continue Reading]
Shanduka Black Umbrella’s incubation programme hopes to support small businesses, which generate around R3.6 billion in turnover and create 7 300 jobs over a 10-year period. We spoke to business owner Sam Sekgolea, who has successfully been through the rigorous application. What is your business name? Timekeeper Holdings. We distribute safety wear to government and… [Continue Reading]
Until recently, business incubation was a fairly new concept in South Africa. However, this landscape is fast-changing, with many corporations launching incubators and the Department of Trade and Industry supporting the establishment of many new incubators.This is the first offering in Small Business Connect’s ongoing focus on incubators and incubation. We spoke to Phindile Mthethwa, regional… [Continue Reading]
Did finance minister Pravin Gordhan deliver a good budget speech last month? You bet he did. By common consent and almost every conceivable measure, the finance minister positively shot the lights out. With very few goodies to hand out, and knowing that he dared not dip much further into the addictive but ultimately ruinous cookie… [Continue Reading]
