WATCH | Episode 51 of SME show with Rams Mabote
The Entrepreneurial SME airs Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Channel 412. This week's guest is Millennial Mindset's Marcia Monareng
Tune in to the show on Business Day TV each week, Channel 412 on DStv, at 8.30pm on Tuesdays.
Whether your business is facing an obstacle or is caught in a highly competitive cycle, Mabote talks to the captains of the SME sector and other experts and professionals who have the knowledge and insights to help SMEs grow and reach their full potential.
These are the many entrepreneurs who make it against the odds — those who do not quit at the first sign of trouble.
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In the dynamic world of business entrepreneur Marcia Monareng, the CEO of Millennial Mindset, stands out with a talented team of copywriters, broadcasters, animators and influencers.
With Monareng's goal of conceiving content that not only goes viral but also enhances profit margins, host Rams Mabote interrogates her business model and the strategies designed to chart a new growth path for each client.
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A Vrygrond youth-led enterprise, Mosebe Enterprises, is switching on lights, plugs and lives through its portable power stations solution. Its pilot flagship power station, “Tsepho – The Power of Hope”, is an innovative 10Ah solar charge energy solution.
On this episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Mabote chats to the founder of Mosebe Enterprises, Vincent Mosebe, on how his team built a product that targets informal settlement households which would otherwise utilise unsafe power methods such as candles and illegal connections that often lead to settlement fires.
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SA’s technology sector has been steadily growing, presenting major opportunities for entrepreneurs in the healthcare space.
On this episode Rams Mabote invites the head of distribution at Unu Health, Neil Kinsley, to share his expertise on the key trends and how tech startups are entering the industry to make health care affordable to all.
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Mabule International is an enterprise and supplier development, advisory and training and investment facilitation company. It focuses on providing its clients with solutions to move to the next level.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to CEO Mighty Mabule on the common challenges SMEs face that keep many from surviving more than five years.
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SA's unemployment crisis has inspired some entrepreneurs to step up and provide services to help bridge the gap between graduates and potential employers.
Host Rams Mabote sits down with the co-founder and CEO of Jobox, Sibusiso Buna, to get a better understanding on how the business generates profit from this model.
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According to the Xero Small Business Report released in 2023, the industry generated 30% of total employment, and 32% of all wage jobs. While the SME sector presents growth opportunities, it still faces several challenges that prevent it from fully embracing the global market.
Host Rams Mabote and the chief technology officer of VertoFX, Anthony Oduwole, explore cross-border payments and how they help stimulate international trade for SMEs.
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Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement earlier in November, placing priority on municipal debt relief, energy transition projects, supporting infrastructure investment and more.
Yet, the small business sector enjoyed little or no mention in this mini-budget. Host Rams Mabote invites award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Virtue Business Solutions, Wendy Silinyana, and the managing executive for finance at Telkom Business, Hasnain Motlekar, to discuss the future of SA's SME sector and what is required for success and longevity.
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Developed economies have made a smooth transition to the fourth industrial revolution and are already engaging in talks about the fifth. That said, SA is reportedly lagging behind and will need to redouble its efforts in the development and deployment of digital infrastructure.
Mabote invites Telkom Business industry experts Kulani Chauke, who is solutions architect and technical product manager, and product development head Arnold Naicker, to explore the strides that have been made in supporting SMEs on their digital journeys by turning to software-as-a-service solutions.
Together they discuss the latest technology to assist SMEs with business flexibility and scalability.
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Host Rams Mabote is joined by the founder and MD of LeloMaq Events & Decor, Nombulelo Maqetuka Morapedi, to talk about the challenges of running a family business.
She shares her journey of taking risks as a small business owner and explains how she diversified her service offering to access markets. She and Mabote also discuss the opportunities to be found in the events and communications industry.
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After spending much of his time unemployed, Walk Fresh founder Lethabo Mokoena enlisted a team of friends to start a sneaker-cleaning company in the dusty streets of Daveyton. Eight years later Mokoena has expanded the company footprint into upmarket areas such as Sandton City.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Mokoena about how the business model has evolved and how he expanded his reach into surburban areas. They also discuss how entrepreneurship has shaped Mokoena's perspective on business.
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Running an independent bookstore in the current socioeconomic climate may be considered risky but the director of Book Circle Capital, Sewela Langeni, shares her entrepreneurial journey and how she overcame obstacles to ensure the longevity of the business.
Mabote also learns how Langeni digitally transformed her business and what strategies she used to attract her market.
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Insurance is a concept that many, including small business owners, shy away from. Cost is always the reason SMEs cite for not taking out insurance. But there are many reasons why they should.
Rams Mabote speaks to the MD of Bi-Me, Francois Potgieter, and Doughgetters director Kenneth Coetzer, to explore the reluctance by SMEs to acquire insurance for their businesses, the types of insurance SMEs need to consider and why it is important that they embrace it sooner rather than later.
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In this episode, Creinex Management founder and CEO Olivia Segooa talks to Mabote.
There are more than 500 registered mining projects in SA and each one requires services and infrastructure, offering entrepreneurs the chance to take advantage of a gap in the market.
Segooa discusses her journey into the flexible intermediate bulk container manufacturing space.
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In this episode, Small Business Institute CEO John Dludlu joins Rams Mabote to talk about the recent 15th Brics Summit, which was hosted by SA in August.
Mabote and Dludlu discuss the significance of the summit, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the opportunities available for small-business owners.
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On this episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote is joined by 3E Group owner and founder Theko Letsie, who talks about how he left the comfort of a high-paying job to start his own business venture in the mining and engineering industry.
Letsie also discusses some of the challenges that small enterprises face, including losing skilled staff to big companies.
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In this instalment of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote is joined by Craft & Design Institute (CDI) group CEO Erica Elk to discuss the various small-business funding sources available in SA.
Entrepreneurs play an important role in shaping the economic landscape and driving advancement in society, but access to funding remains a challenge for many.
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Rams Mabote discusses women in business with three industry leaders, Mustard Seed CEO Linda Omara-Koledade, the managing executive for Telkom Consumer Broadband and Smarthome, Makgosi Mabaso, and Irene Okoye, the head of business growth and marketing at Redplan Business Consulting. Together they examine why entrepreneurship is vital for its ability to advance the role of women in society and to generate wealth.
Africa has a thriving female entrepreneurship culture despite systemic challenges. They discuss these challenges faced by female business owners, the efforts made by various institutions to minimise gender disparities when it comes to funding access, and much more.
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Dipalesa Biotech Lab is a biomanufacturing company that focuses on research & development, extraction, formulation services and contract manufacturing. Founder and CEO Palesa Lephallo joins Mabote to share her struggles with accessing the market as a small business and overcoming her fear of working outside the lab to secure more clientele.
She explains how she managed to get back up on her feet after a failed business venture to start the company that bridges the gap between cosmetic science and the use of indigenous plants in her production methods. She and Mabote outline what it takes to become a resilient entrepreneur in today's socioeconomic times and the risks associated with running this business venture.
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The Covid pandemic in 2020 forced a massive closure of businesses, shrinking economies across the globe. However, e-commerce recorded a 66% growth year-on-year and in SA the sector is now worth more than R30bn.
The CEO of Takealot.com, Frederik Zietsman, joins Mabote to discuss SA's digital market growth and how his company has grown to be one of the biggest online marketplaces in the country. They also discuss the various opportunities Takealot offers small business owners through its business accelerator programme which aims to empower black SMEs.
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SA's healthcare industry continues to face significant challenges which includes a shortage of healthcare facilities, inadequate infrastructure and, most importantly, a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. This has challenged entrepreneurs to think of solutions to mitigate these problems by effectively using technology not only as a business and entrepreneurial tool, but also to improve people's lives.
Mabote speaks to the CEO and co-founder of the Eagle Intelligent Health app, Arvind Raichur, on how he built a telehealth platform that simplifies processes between medical practitioners and patients.
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On this episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Mabote explores cash flow management and the danger, as an entrepreneur, of handling your own bookkeeping.
The director of SMTAX, Sivenathi Sibaca, and the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Business Accountants, Nicolaas van Wyk, discuss some of the expenses SMEs need to track to ensure business sustainability. Keeping track of all transactions inevitably helps determine the health and success of the business. Together they explore accounting for small businesses and some of the factors a business must consider when choosing an accounting software package.
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Smart technologies have changed the majority of sectors in SA, forcing entrepreneurs to adapt and invest in digital systems to stay ahead of their competitors. On this episode Mabote shines the spotlight on the township economy.
It is no secret that township businesses are the missing link in SA's growth puzzle. With responsibility for 38% of total consumer spending at present, which amounts to more than R600bn annually, the township market continues to expand, offering vast opportunities.
In this context Mabote invites the CEO of Standard Bank Thrive, Khetha Mazibuko, to discuss how important it is for small business owners to embrace technology and explain how the Thrive system, a marketplace app, is designed to boost profitability and assist small township businesses with seamless payment processes.
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This week the founder and director of Kele Engineering & Construction, Kgaugelo Mogapi, describes how she identified a gap in the mining sector and started her own company. She shares her insights on how the sector has transformed over the last five years. She also reveals how she managed to secure long-term contracts with big corporations and advises how SMEs can pitch to big corporate clients to secure business.
The mining industry continues to be one of the most important sectors in SA, contributing 8% of GDP and providing direct employment to roughly half a million people. Mabote and Mogapi discuss the opportunities that exist within the sector.
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Technological innovation is causing a massive shift in nearly every industry in SA. But while socioeconomic challenges exist, such as a shortage of digital skills and a steep increase in youth unemployment, concerns over mass job displacement are looming due to artificial intelligence and automation.
Mabote is joined by industry experts: Telkom Business Digital Channels head Dr Mbuso Nzama, Business Day writer and economist Mudiwa Gavaza, BCX Business & Digital Advisory executive Mpho Matsitse and Makgosi Mabaso, managing executive at Telkom Consumer Broadband & Smarthome.
Together they examine the efforts made by SMEs to adapt to digital transformation in different industries and what digital skills are in high demand, and have an in-depth look into SA's e-commerce market. They also explore the challenges blocking small businesses from embracing technological innovation.
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SA is a country with a high consumption of meat, a habit coupled to weekly events held in various communities. Meshack Mokhema, the founder of Usizo Thuso, is one entrepreneur who identified an opportunity by taking advantage of the synergy between livestock farming and the funeral industry.
He started by supplying meat to many communities around his area in Evaton, Johannesburg, and then expanded into other parts of SA as well as surrounding countries. On this instalment Mokhema shares his journey from being a cattle herder to starting his own business, one that now has a southern African footprint.
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These owners often struggle to stay abreast with the pace and sophistication of new technological developments. With the current load-shedding schedules, it makes it tougher for these businesses to compete with corporate giants in using technology to support their growth and cement their competitive edge.
Mabote is joined by the head of product development at Telkom Business, Arnold Naicker, and WHSE Training College MD Analise van Zyl to discuss simple technology that SMEs can use to enhance productivity and overall customer experience.
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Rabbit meat is not as commonly eaten in SA as it is in Europe and other countries but some SMEs have identified the potential of this industry and are slowly educating the market on the health benefits of the meat.
Mabote is joined by the founder of MPBIZRabbitry, aka uMam’Nogwaja (mother of rabbits), Daisy Moleko. Together they discuss the rabbit meat industry and the vast potential it holds for small business owners.
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Issues around sustainability have always been the concern of large corporates. The Covid-19 pandemic and the current climate crisis revealed the importance of countries creating a systems solution framework that tackles these global challenges, placing small businesses at the centre. On this episode Mabote talks to award-winning business leader and Fetola founder Catherine Wijnberg about how SMEs can make an impact as SA aspires to a “green circular” economy.
Fetola assists in excess of 1,200 entrepreneurs and has a variety of small business accelerators. Wijnberg gives her expert insights into the concept of the green circular economy and the opportunities that exist for SMEs to tap into and flourish.
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Consultants have become a necessity in SA’s changing business landscape. Human resources management, in particular, plays a key role in developing and changing the culture of an organisation. On this instalment Mabote is joined by the founders of Imizizi — Yolisa Tshabalala and Mponeng Seshea. Together they share their journey of building an efficient HR consulting business in a short time.
They touch on digital transformation within HR management and how it has enabled SMEs to change operational processes to become more automated and data-driven.
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The first important national events of 2023 — the budget and the state of the nation address — have raised concerns about the overall future of small businesses in SA.
To help make sense of these two speeches and the changing landscape brought about by the fourth industrial revolution, which represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another, Mabote talks to the managing executive at Telkom Financial Services, Sibusiso Ngwenya, Small Business Institute CEO John Dludlu and the chief investment officer of Business Partners Ltd, Jeremy Lang.
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After getting retrenched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic with no source of income, Christelle Fredericks kick-started her mobile business, founding Chrystell Health & Wellness Mobile Spa.
She joins Mabote on The Entrepreneurial SME to share her rollercoaster ride of setting up a successful small business in a volatile market.
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On this second episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, we see how, as fashion and retail continue to grow as a sector in SA, more entrepreneurs are finding a gap in the market and making profits from a niche product offering.
Mabote is joined by the founder of Tumi Captivating Fashion, Tumi Nakedi, and Makgosi Mabaso, managing executive for home and business broadband at Telkom Business. Together they discuss SA's fashion industry and how SMMES can use various platforms to boost sales.
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On this first episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Mabote is joined by the founder of 3NT Branding, Nontokozo Vilakazi, to discuss her journey to success and the impact that the current energy crisis has on her business.
Watch EPISODE 1 part 2 below
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