Light in the Darkness: Inspirational South African Entrepreneurs’ Advice for Success
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Published
May 22, 2019
Abstract
The legacy of apartheid is still apparent in South Africa and with a
declining growth rate and a chronically high unemployment rate, the challenges
faced by entrepreneurs are considerable. Despite these significant constraints,
a notable number of successful previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs have
emerged. This phenomenological study contributes to the emerging research
in this area by not only drawing on the challenges faced by these specific
entrepreneurs but also showcases their inspirational advice on how they overcame
these challenges. Insights as to whether they believe entrepreneurship can be
taught were also obtained. The findings provide guidance to nascent entrepreneurs
in the form of a road-map of competencies that they can benchmark themselves
against before embarking on the entrepreneurship journey. Recommendations
for policy makers for formulating interventions to stimulate entrepreneurship in
South Africa, but also in other developing countries, are also provided.
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Keywords
challengescharacteristicsentrepreneurshipskillsSouth Africa
References
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• National Treasury. (2011). Budget review 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=66388.
• Neneh, N.B., andVanzyl, J. (2012). Towards establishing long term surviving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa: An entrepreneurial approach. African Journal of Business Management, 6(28), 8327-8343.
• Preisendoerfer, P., Bits, A., and Bezuidenhout, F.J. (2019). Black entrepreneurship: a case study on entrepreneurial activities and ambitions in a South African township. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and places in the global economy, 8(3), 162-179.
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• Richardson, S. (2009). Undergraduates’ perceptions of tourism and hospitality as a career choice. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 28(2009), 382–388.
• Robinson, D. A. (2008). Entrepreneurial challenges in South Africa. Journal of African Business, 5(2), 173-185.
• Sanchez, J. (2012). The influence of entrepreneurial competencies on small firm performance. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicologia, 44(2), 165-177.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. 5th Ed. Pearson Edu, Ltd, England.
• SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency). (2018). The small, medium and micro enterprise sector of South Africa - Quarterly Report 2017 No1. Retrievable from http://www.seda.org.za/publications/publications/the%20small,%20medium %20and%20micro%20enterprise%20sector%20of%20south%20africa%20commissioned%20by%20seda.pdf.
• Seed Academy. (2018). The real state of entrepreneurship survey 2018. Retrieved from https://www.seedengine.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Real-State-of-Entrepreneurship-Survey-Results-2018.pdf?cf_id=1147.
• Sitharam, S., and Hoque, M. (2016). Factors affecting the performance of small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Problems and perspectives in Management, 14(2), 277-288.
• Small Business Institute (SBI). (2018). Baseline data and policy changes needed for small businesses to deliver jobs target for NDP. Retrievable from http://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/2018/07/24/baseline-data-and-policy-changes-needed-for-small-business-to-deliverjobs-target-for-ndp/.
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• Statistics South Africa. (2018b). Quarterly Labour Force Survey: Quarter 1: 2018. Retrieved from http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0211/P02111stQuarter2018.pdf.
• Tai-Hing, P. (2011). Research into entrepreneurship and small businesses in South Africa: Current status and future challenges. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
• Teichler, U. (2003). The future of higher education and the future of higher education research. Tertiary Education and Management, 9(3), 171-185.
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• UCL Libraries. (2018). Research Guides. Retrieved from http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchdesigns.
• Williams, C. C., and Kedir, A. (2018). Contesting the underperformance thesis of women entrepreneurs: firm-level evidence from South Africa. International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 17(1), 21-35.
• Bird. B. J. (1995). Toward a theory of entrepreneurial competency. Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth, 2(1995), 51-72.
• Bonsetter, B. J. (2012). New Research: The skills that make an entrepreneur. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2012/12/new-research-the-skills-that-m.
• Botha, J. (2018). Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) provides opportunities for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Magazine – How to Guides. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneurmagco.za/advice/starting-a-business/how-to-guides-starting-a-business/enterprise-supplier-development-esd-provides-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs/.
• Budac, A.C. and Pentescu, A. (2015). Promoting entrepreneurship in Romania: An impact study within recent graduates of economic sciences. Studies in Business and Economics, 10(1)/2015, 35- 46.
• Bureau for economic research. (2016). The small, medium and micro enterprise sector of South Africa – Research Note 2016/No 1. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.seda.org.za/Publications/Publications/The%20Small,%20Medium%20and%20Micro%20Enterprise%20Sector%20of%20South%20Africa%20Commissioned%20by%20Seda.pdf.
• Calderon, G. L., Lacovone, L., and Juarez, L. (2016). Opportunity versus necessity: Understanding the heterogeneity of female micro-entrepeneurs; The World Bank Economic Review, 30(1), 86-96.
• Carr, A. (2013). Positive psychology: The science of happiness and human strengths. 2nd edition. Routledge, London.
• Chell, E. (2013). Review of skills and the entrepreneurial process. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, 19(1), 6-31.
• Centre for Innovation in Research and Teaching. Phenomenology Research Overview. (2018). Retrieved from https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/developmentresources/research_ready/phenomenology/phen_overview.
• Crampton, N. (2017a). 11 Secrets of South African entrepreneurs on making it to the top. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/advice/success-stories/lessons-learnt/11-secretsof-south-african-entrepreneurs-on-making-it-to-the-top/.
• Crampton, N. (2017b). 10 Young entrepreneurs under 30 share their start-up secrets. 2017 Nov14. Retrieved from https://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/advice/success-stories/upstarts/10-young-entrepreneurs-under-30-share-their-start-up-secrets/.
• Creswell, J, W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed methods approaches. 4th Ed. Thousand Oaks, SAGE.
• Dontigney, E. (2018). What are the theories of entrepreneurship? Retrieved from https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/theories-entrepreneurship-23795.html.
• Gebrekidan, S., and Normitsu, O. (2018). Corruption gutted South Africa’s tax agency. Now the nation is paying the price. New York Times.
• Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). (2017). South Africa Report 2016/17 – Can small businesses survive in South Africa? Retrieved from https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/49833.
• Hmieleski, K. M., and Carr, J. C. (2008). The relationship between entrepreneur psychological capital and new venture performance, Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 28(4), Article 1.
• Hrehova, D. (2013). Motivation to become an entrepreneur. Grant Journal, ISSN 1805-062x, 1805-063 (online), 42-46.
• Kalitanyi, V., and Khosa, R. M. (2018). Immigration entrepreneurial education in South Africa. Retrievable from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Risimati_Maurice_Khosa/publication/329610269_IMMIGRANT_ENTREPRENEURIAL_EDUCATION_IN_SOUTH_AFRICA/links/5c120dbda6fdcc494ff03fd7/IMMIGRANT-ENTREPRENEURIAL-EDUCATION-IN-SOUTH-AFRICA.pdf
• Kunene, T. R. A. (2008). Critical analysis of entrepreneurial and business skills in SMEs in the textile and clothing industry in Johannesburg, South Africa. Doctoral thesis. Retrieved from https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/24173/Complete.pdf?sequence=10andis-Allowed=y.
• Leutner, F., Ahmetoglu, G., Akhtar, R., and Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2014). The relationship between the entrepreneurial personality and the big five personality traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 2014(63), 58 -63.
• Littlewood, D., and Holt, D. (2018). Social entrepreneurship in South Africa: Exploring the influence of environment. Business and Society, 57(3), 525-561.
• Mankgele, K. P., and Fatoki, O. (2018). An analysis of the business practices and work ethics of native and immigrant entrepreneurs in South Africa. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 24(3), 1-12.
• Maromo, J. (2017). Irregular expenditure in SA hits R45 billion – AG. Africa News Agency Business Report. Retrieved from https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/irregular-expenditurein-sa-hits-r45-billion-ag-11806571.
• Mathew, V. (2019). Women entrepreneurship in Gulf Region: Challenges and strategies in GCC. International journal of Asian Business and Information Management, 10(1), 94-108
• National Treasury. (2011). Budget review 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=66388.
• Neneh, N.B., andVanzyl, J. (2012). Towards establishing long term surviving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa: An entrepreneurial approach. African Journal of Business Management, 6(28), 8327-8343.
• Preisendoerfer, P., Bits, A., and Bezuidenhout, F.J. (2019). Black entrepreneurship: a case study on entrepreneurial activities and ambitions in a South African township. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and places in the global economy, 8(3), 162-179.
• Ramaphosa, C. (2018). State of the Nation Address 2018. Retrievable from http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/state-of-the-nation-address/state-nation-address-president-republic-south-africa%2C-mr-cyril-ramaphosa.
• Republic of South Africa. (2007). B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice 2007. Department of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa, Government Gazette No. 29617.
• Republic of South Africa. (2013), Act No. 53 of 2003.
• Richardson, S. (2009). Undergraduates’ perceptions of tourism and hospitality as a career choice. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 28(2009), 382–388.
• Robinson, D. A. (2008). Entrepreneurial challenges in South Africa. Journal of African Business, 5(2), 173-185.
• Sanchez, J. (2012). The influence of entrepreneurial competencies on small firm performance. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicologia, 44(2), 165-177.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. 5th Ed. Pearson Edu, Ltd, England.
• SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency). (2018). The small, medium and micro enterprise sector of South Africa - Quarterly Report 2017 No1. Retrievable from http://www.seda.org.za/publications/publications/the%20small,%20medium %20and%20micro%20enterprise%20sector%20of%20south%20africa%20commissioned%20by%20seda.pdf.
• Seed Academy. (2018). The real state of entrepreneurship survey 2018. Retrieved from https://www.seedengine.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Real-State-of-Entrepreneurship-Survey-Results-2018.pdf?cf_id=1147.
• Sitharam, S., and Hoque, M. (2016). Factors affecting the performance of small and medium enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Problems and perspectives in Management, 14(2), 277-288.
• Small Business Institute (SBI). (2018). Baseline data and policy changes needed for small businesses to deliver jobs target for NDP. Retrievable from http://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/2018/07/24/baseline-data-and-policy-changes-needed-for-small-business-to-deliverjobs-target-for-ndp/.
• Statistics South Africa. (2018a). Gross Domestic Product 1st quarter 2018. Retrieved from http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0441/GDP_2018_Q1_Media_presentation.pdf.
• Statistics South Africa. (2018b). Quarterly Labour Force Survey: Quarter 1: 2018. Retrieved from http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0211/P02111stQuarter2018.pdf.
• Tai-Hing, P. (2011). Research into entrepreneurship and small businesses in South Africa: Current status and future challenges. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
• Teichler, U. (2003). The future of higher education and the future of higher education research. Tertiary Education and Management, 9(3), 171-185.
• The Economist. (2017). South Africa has one of the world’s worst education systems – Why is it bottom of the class. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2017/01/07/south-africa-has-one-of-the-worlds-worst-education-systems.
• Toerien, D. (2018). Productive knowledge, poverty and the entrepreneurial challenges of South African towns. South African Journal of Science, 114(11-12), 1-8. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2018/4765.
• UCL Libraries. (2018). Research Guides. Retrieved from http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchdesigns.
• Williams, C. C., and Kedir, A. (2018). Contesting the underperformance thesis of women entrepreneurs: firm-level evidence from South Africa. International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 17(1), 21-35.
How to Cite
Smulders, Sharon. 2019. “Light in the Darkness: Inspirational South African Entrepreneurs’ Advice for Success”. Studies in Business and Economics 21 (1). https://doi.org/10.29117/sbe.2018.0106.
Section
Articles