Credit ombud expects disputes to roll in soon

With the recent introduction of the National Credit Amendment Act in Parliament earlier this year, the office of the credit ombud says it’s expecting an influx of disputes. The new legislation, which was introduced in April, but is yet to be signed into law, aims to address shortcomings of the National Credit Act of 2007.… [Continue Reading]

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Testing helps grow biz

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]

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Could you start a computer training biz?

Since you are a Small Business Connect reader, it is likely that you know how to use a computer. But consider this: only one in every three households in a “rich” city like Johannesburg has a computer; and that drops to a quarter of households in Durban. Without a computer at home, most youth can’t… [Continue Reading]

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Own your industry

Christoff Oosthuysen reviews “Own Your Industry – How To Position Yourself As An Expert” by Douglas Kruger, published by Portfolio Penguin (2014). When you are known as “the expert”, clients will line up to do business with you. This is what Douglas Kruger exclaims in his recently released book “Own Your Industry”. But, that is… [Continue Reading]

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Positive response for newbies at Zim fair

About 30 South African business owners received the opportunity to sell their wares and market their services to a global market. This thanks to an annual international trade show in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, earlier this year. The trip held in April was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which helped the group of… [Continue Reading]

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Stutterheim manufacturer to go global

Following the launch of a R4-million plant, the usually sleepy Eastern Cape town of Stutterheim will not be the same again. This, thanks to Ikusasa Green, a small enterprise that opened a cooler-box manufacturing plant in the small town. The plant, which will initially create more than 20 jobs, with a further 15 jobs to… [Continue Reading]

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It’s thumbs up for Thumbzup

A recently-launched partnership between Thumbzup Innovation founder Stafford Masie and one of South Africa’s leading banks offers small business owners cutting-edge technology for receiving mobile payments from customers. Hailed as a world-first, Masie’s digital payment application Payment Pebble is a mobile payment system which he initially launched last year. The application allows merchants to enjoy… [Continue Reading]

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Get mobile payment with app

South African business owners now have access to the world’s-first mobile payment system, which will allow them to use their smartphones as card machines. This, thanks to a partnership between Stafford Massie of Thumbzup Innovation, the creator of mobile payment system Payment Pebble, and Absa bank. The system conveniently processes payments via a device that… [Continue Reading]

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New code promotes strict payment terms

Small businesses that supply goods or services to those that have joined a new initiative to pay small firms on time, may no longer need to worry about cash-flow concerns. Initiated by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC), the Prompt Payment Code aims to get government departments and corporates to pay their small suppliers within… [Continue Reading]

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