Whispers of an entrepreneur

For the South African economy to grow, absorb youth in employment and be internationally competitive - a great focus needs to be put in a handful of industrial areas. South Africa is arguably the greatest country on the African continent - a beacon of hope and a model to be looked at and emulated, taking a moment to discard any political influence, South Africa needs to look at areas where we have a natural or achieved competitive edge. 1.     Tourism What a country we live in, if the 2017 Tourism Indaba, is anything to go by, we have a rich diversity of areas to visit. All our 9 provinces offer something special, are attractive and more importantly, unique. Each offering something the other does not and something that it can build competitiveness on.  Tourism in South Africa accounts for less than 5% of the GDP. Reportedly offering a little over 1 500 000 jobs.  Conversely, tourism in the Southeast Asian countries can account to well over ...

I recently met a very interesting gentleman – let’s call him Sipho. Now, Sipho is an elderly gent – about 1.55m in length with a small frame but broad shoulders, indicative of many years of hard work and labour. His stare is piercing and focused and one gets the impression that this is not a man to trifle with. He is fit and one could never say he is in his 60s. Years ago, Sipho lost his job and the income potential it had, with a family to support he was down on his luck. He had to find ways in which to support himself and his family, means that were legal and did not depend on the state. Employment opportunities for someone of his limited skills/education and advanced years were limited, and as is the case with most entrepreneurs – limitation became the fire that would drive him to achieve. Sipho has an interesting business case – he goes around Bellville Taxi Terminus (the area in Bellville where all the busses, mini bus and midi bus taxis and train all depart f...