Entrepreneurs from all around South Africa are being encouraged to participate in the 18-month-long Tholoana enterprise program, an initiative launched by the renowned SAB Foundation and aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to create sustainable and successful enterprises.
The program, which is one of the nation’s most effective business growth platforms, targets entrepreneurs in all nine provinces, including peri-urban and rural areas, and is open to enterprises from all industries.
It also lays a strong emphasis on inclusivity.
It aggressively promotes the engagement of young people, women, and individuals with impairments.
The Tholoana program has sponsored over 555 businesses to date, which represents significant accomplishments.
The businesses participating in the program have created more than 4 500 employment, 1395 of which are brand-new positions since joining, with 50% of the entrepreneurs being women and 57% being young people.
The program’s alumni have achieved exceptional success, with a long-term sustainability rate that is approximately nine times greater than the national norm, demonstrating the program’s long-lasting beneficial impact on the local economy.
Itumeleng Dhlamini, head of programs at the SAB Foundation, emphasizes the significance of strategic and individualized support for sustaining business growth. He applauds the participants’ one-on-one mentoring, saying it’s essential to their success.
Enterprises in peri-urban and rural areas, those that create jobs where opportunities are rare, companies managed by or benefiting individuals with disabilities, women- and youth-owned companies, and companies with significant development potential will all receive preference in the program.
About SAB Foundation
Tholoana Enterprise Programme
| Application Deadline | 05 Sep 2023 |
| Type | Entrepreneurs |
| Sponsor | SAB Foundation |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Aim and Benefits of Tholoana Enterprise Programme
We invest in entrepreneurs – with a particular emphasis on women, youth, people in rural areas and entrepreneurs with a disability – who show the potential and commitment to grow a business and create jobs.
This is done through a structured, two-year business support programme, seed-funding and assistance with access to markets. Applications are open once a year, with the businesses showing the most potential and commitment with about 60 new entrepreneurs being brought onto the programme per annum.
Requirements for Tholoana Enterprise Programme Qualification
- The business is?fully?operational and has been trading for at least 12 months.
- The business is black owned and managed.
- The business is headquartered and registered (if applicable), within South African borders.
- The business is a going concern, commercially sustainable and viable.
- The business is in the early stages of growth.
- The applicant is involved in the daily operations and management of the business on a full-time basis and is not employed by any other organisation.
- The applicant has the skills and experience necessary for the type of business they are engaged in.
- The applicant should show a willingness to learn, grow and change.
- The applicant should show entrepreneurial and leadership abilities.
- The applicant should be resilient and driven to succeed.
In addition, preference will be given to:
- Enterprises run by or benefitting people living with disabilities.
- Women and youth-owned businesses.
- Peri-urban and rural enterprises.
- Enterprises that create jobs in areas with few other opportunities.
Entrepreneurs who are living with disabilities are also strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are also welcome from businesses working in new and growing sectors such as export, manufacturing, food processing, water, energy and waste management.
Application Deadline
September 5, 2023How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to SAB Foundation on sab.praxisgms.co.za to applyThere are currently two applications open on the entry platform. Please ensure that you select the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme when applying.
For more details, visit SAB Foundation website.
