The Entrepreneurial SME airs Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Channel 412. This week’s guest is Lebogang Lechuba, the co-founder of Mmawe Naturals
19 November 2024 - 09:53
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
TheEntrepreneurial SME, hosted by Rams Mabote, is a weekly TV programme that charts the road to success for small business owners.
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.
EPISODE 77 Part 1
This week the spotlight is on the skin and hair care industry, and how start-ups are competing with global brands and supplying local, authentic products to their consumers.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Lebogang Lechuba, co-founder of Mmawe Naturals, about how she found a gap in the SA market.
Episode 77 Part 2
EPISODE 76 Part 1
There are plenty of sneaker, or takkie, lovers in SA, so entrepreneurs are making the most of this opportunity.
In this episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote talks to the founder and CEO of Sneaker Cleanic, Lesego Gumede, about how he began a sneaker cleaning business.
EPISODE 76 Part 2
EPISODE 75 Part 1
This week on The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote revisits the topic of SME financing with Telkom’s senior channel specialist for financial services, Refilwe Madigage, and Retail Capital SA’s general manager for commercial and business development, Mandla Khupe.
They talk about what triggered their growth, making them suitable for funding.
EPISODE 75 Part 2
EPISODE 74 Part 1
Research conducted by Business Partners shows that SMEs are resilient and are confident about their future, despite SA’s persistent socioeconomic challenges and political uncertainty.
In this instalment of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote speaks to Keabetsoe Matshediso, founder of Gifted By Matte, about how to thrive in the e-commerce space and whether to expand the luxury brand into retail.
EPISODE 74 Part 2
EPISODE 73 Part 1
The potential for growth for SMEs is almost limitless when they leverage available resources, adapt to market conditions and remain agile in their operations. With the right strategies, SMEs will not only thrive but contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Rams Mabote talks to Simo Mkhize, the chief commercial officer at Telkom Consumer and Small Business (CBS), about some of the innovative strategies entrepreneurs can adopt without losing the essence of the business.
EPISODE 73 Part 2
EPISODE 72 Part 1
Entrepreneurship is often touted as a possible solution to SA’s unemployment crisis, though the debate is complicated.
Host Rams Mabote explores the issue with Matshepo Koape, senior business development manager at Gibs Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA), and Corrin Varady, education analyst and CEO of IDEA Digital Education.
EPISODE 72 Part 2
EPISODE 71 Part 1
Small business owners in SA’s vibrant creative industry are increasingly turning to lucrative craft of bespoke rug making.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Rug Life founder Bahedile Dikwetla about the growing appreciation for handcrafted goods and home décor in SA, and how he aims to grow his brand further.
EPISODE 71 Part 2
EPISODE 70 Part 1
Isa B Jewellery Designs is local bespoke jewellery company founded by Isabel Botha, who is based in Germiston, on the East Rand of Johannesburg. The company makes creative, contemporary and custom pieces of jewellery at the Rand Refinery Estates.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Botha about product development strategies, the importance of partnerships among SMEs and access to markets through e-commerce.
EPISODE 70 Part 2
EPISODE 69 Part 1
On this instalment of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote sits down with innovative business owner and founder of Balini Braille Clothing, Balini Naidoo Engelbrecht.
They look at the power of identifying a gap in the local market and how Naidoo Engelbrecht has developed her business model over the years to improve systems and customer experience.
EPISODE 69 Part 2
EPISODE 68 Part 1
Digital transformation is helping to improve the resilience of entrepreneurs at a time when small businesses make up the backbone of economies around the world.
Host Rams Mabote explores digital solutions and innovations for SMEs with Randall Abrahams, group executive for digital solutions at Telkom, and Tshepo Phetla, executive for business development at Telkom.
EPISODE 68 Part 2
EPISODE 67 Part 1
Serial entrepreneur and founder of Colleen’s Handmade Sauces Colleen Flowers prides herself on her business success and her ability to provide natural ingredients sourced from local organic farmers.
Flowers shares the failures encountered thus far, her partnerships with other SMEs in the agricultural space and the work that goes in to securing investment as a start-up.
EPISODE 67 Part 2
EPISODE 66 Part 1
Itumeleng Moima, a patisserie and culinary arts graduate, founded SoLuna in 2018, with the aim of creating high-quality products and making SoLuna cakes and desserts into a lifestyle brand.
Moima talks about her business model and some of the hurdles that prevent her from expanding her brand.
EPISODE 66 Part 2
EPISODE 65 Part 1
Women taking on more leadership roles is a complex and multifaceted issue in SA, as it is in many other countries.
Today’s female executives are redefining what leadership means, overcoming obstacles and promoting diversity in the workplace. Award-winning marketing professional and Telkom chief marketing officer Gugu Mthembu talks about her journey of leadership in the world of business and the changing landscape of consumer marketing.
EPISODE 65 Part 2
EPISODE 64 Part 1
Metropolitan Collective Shapers is a youth empowerment initiative that aims to equip young people with specialised knowledge and technical skills in various sectors.
The organisation’s chief marketing officer, Lindiwe Gumede, shares how the organisation plans to equip young entrepreneurs with these tools to create more income-generating opportunities through business development.
EPISODE 64 Part 2
EPISODE 63 Part 1
The growth of the mineral industry has resulted in various environmental issues and geological challenges, with Southern Africa particularly hard hit.
This has forced SMEs to implement strategic solutions that will keep their business afloat in the green economy. Host Rams Mabote invites Ndu Mining Solution founder and director Nondumiso Mdodana to talk about her business model and how to companies can diversify their service offerings in SA’s mining and agricultural sectors.
EPISODE 63 Part 2
EPISODE 62 Part 1
SMEs account for 95% of all registered businesses, contributing about 50% to the total GDP of sub-Saharan countries. However, many obstacles stand in the way of their growth and prosperity, despite the significant role they play.
Rams Mabote invites Telkom’s senior channel specialist for financial services, Refilwe Madigage, and Retail Capital’s head of sales, Chad Tessendorf, to talk about the latest SME financing solutions for entrepreneurs.
EPISODE 62 Part 2
EPISODE 61 Part 1
The advice to not “go into business with family” is often given, but what if you need family to explore an opportunity?
To answer that question, host Rams Mabote puts the spotlight on Berry Homeware, a locally based homeware and lifestyle brand owned by brother and sister duo, Neo Dulaze and Katleho Mchalla.
EPISODE 61 Part 2
EPISODE 60 Part 1
VisionAI is an AI-powered solution that is able to monitor properties and areas and recognises in real time the occurrence (or potential occurrence) of crimes such as arson, burglary, robbery and others.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to entrepreneur and co-founder Nhlanhla Simelane about the company’s current business model and how he aims to improve the AI technology emergency response times in this service, which is being rolled out across homes, townships, schools and private organisations.
Watch Episode 60 Part 2 below
EPISODE 59 Part 1
Nontokozo Madonsela was the owner of Spa88, an internationally-themed spa which unfortunately closed down its operations.
Madonsela shares her experiences and lessons learnt from her entrepreneurial journey with the brand, emphasising the importance of financial backing, risk management and leadership.
She highlights the challenges of balancing passion with business objectives and the necessity of building industry relationships.
Watch Episode 59 Part 2 below
EPISODE 58 Part 1
2023 came with its fair share of challenges for the SME sector. A lagging economy, rising interest rates and cost of living coupled with high unemployment held many small businesses back from reaching their full potential.
Host Rams Mabote is joined by Kurt Septoe, manager digital products & solutions at Telkom Business and Liam-Anthony Moses, head of commercial at Mobiz. Together they investigate some of the latest digital trends dominating the industry and how SMEs can adapt to the current socioeconomic landscape.
Watch Episode 58 Part 2 below
EPISODE 57 Part 1
SA’s unemployment rate has climbed to 32.9% in Q1 2024, with women remaining the most vulnerable. This concerning trend is pushing women towards entrepreneurship, with 87.9% of women entrepreneurs citing job scarcity as their reason for starting businesses.
One promising avenue for female entrepreneurs is the e-hailing industry, currently dominated by men. Business development representative for inDrive in SA, Vincent Lilane, discusses the opportunities this field holds for women seeking employment.
Watch Episode 57 Part 2 below
EPISODE 56 Part 1
Watch Episode 56 Part 2 below
EPISODE 55 Part 1
Street Wallet was born out of the recognition that SA’s millions of street vendors have largely been excluded from the ever-growing digital economy. The digitalisation of financial services and the decline of cash, which accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, has had an economic impact on SA’s poorest citizens.
Cape Town-based entrepreneur and CEO Kosta Scholiadis shares his journey in developing an innovative fintech solution that allows street vendors to access the digital economy.
Watch Episode 55 Part 2 below
EPISODE 54 Part 1
Up to 99% of South African start-ups now rely on bootstrapping (building a business without investment) due to a funding crunch.
Host Rams Mabote sits down with local entrepreneur and Luxity co-founder, Michael Zahariev, to discuss practical bootstrapping strategies that local start-ups can use to navigate the challenging economic landscape.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
WATCH | Episode 77 of SME show with Rams Mabote
The Entrepreneurial SME airs Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Channel 412. This week’s guest is Lebogang Lechuba, the co-founder of Mmawe Naturals
The Entrepreneurial SME, hosted by Rams Mabote, is a weekly TV programme that charts the road to success for small business owners.
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.
EPISODE 77 Part 1
This week the spotlight is on the skin and hair care industry, and how start-ups are competing with global brands and supplying local, authentic products to their consumers.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Lebogang Lechuba, co-founder of Mmawe Naturals, about how she found a gap in the SA market.
Episode 77 Part 2
EPISODE 76 Part 1
There are plenty of sneaker, or takkie, lovers in SA, so entrepreneurs are making the most of this opportunity.
In this episode of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote talks to the founder and CEO of Sneaker Cleanic, Lesego Gumede, about how he began a sneaker cleaning business.
EPISODE 76 Part 2
EPISODE 75 Part 1
This week on The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote revisits the topic of SME financing with Telkom’s senior channel specialist for financial services, Refilwe Madigage, and Retail Capital SA’s general manager for commercial and business development, Mandla Khupe.
They talk about what triggered their growth, making them suitable for funding.
EPISODE 75 Part 2
EPISODE 74 Part 1
Research conducted by Business Partners shows that SMEs are resilient and are confident about their future, despite SA’s persistent socioeconomic challenges and political uncertainty.
In this instalment of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote speaks to Keabetsoe Matshediso, founder of Gifted By Matte, about how to thrive in the e-commerce space and whether to expand the luxury brand into retail.
EPISODE 74 Part 2
EPISODE 73 Part 1
The potential for growth for SMEs is almost limitless when they leverage available resources, adapt to market conditions and remain agile in their operations. With the right strategies, SMEs will not only thrive but contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Rams Mabote talks to Simo Mkhize, the chief commercial officer at Telkom Consumer and Small Business (CBS), about some of the innovative strategies entrepreneurs can adopt without losing the essence of the business.
EPISODE 73 Part 2
EPISODE 72 Part 1
Entrepreneurship is often touted as a possible solution to SA’s unemployment crisis, though the debate is complicated.
Host Rams Mabote explores the issue with Matshepo Koape, senior business development manager at Gibs Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA), and Corrin Varady, education analyst and CEO of IDEA Digital Education.
EPISODE 72 Part 2
EPISODE 71 Part 1
Small business owners in SA’s vibrant creative industry are increasingly turning to lucrative craft of bespoke rug making.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Rug Life founder Bahedile Dikwetla about the growing appreciation for handcrafted goods and home décor in SA, and how he aims to grow his brand further.
EPISODE 71 Part 2
EPISODE 70 Part 1
Isa B Jewellery Designs is local bespoke jewellery company founded by Isabel Botha, who is based in Germiston, on the East Rand of Johannesburg. The company makes creative, contemporary and custom pieces of jewellery at the Rand Refinery Estates.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to Botha about product development strategies, the importance of partnerships among SMEs and access to markets through e-commerce.
EPISODE 70 Part 2
EPISODE 69 Part 1
On this instalment of The Entrepreneurial SME, Rams Mabote sits down with innovative business owner and founder of Balini Braille Clothing, Balini Naidoo Engelbrecht.
They look at the power of identifying a gap in the local market and how Naidoo Engelbrecht has developed her business model over the years to improve systems and customer experience.
EPISODE 69 Part 2
EPISODE 68 Part 1
Digital transformation is helping to improve the resilience of entrepreneurs at a time when small businesses make up the backbone of economies around the world.
Host Rams Mabote explores digital solutions and innovations for SMEs with Randall Abrahams, group executive for digital solutions at Telkom, and Tshepo Phetla, executive for business development at Telkom.
EPISODE 68 Part 2
EPISODE 67 Part 1
Serial entrepreneur and founder of Colleen’s Handmade Sauces Colleen Flowers prides herself on her business success and her ability to provide natural ingredients sourced from local organic farmers.
Flowers shares the failures encountered thus far, her partnerships with other SMEs in the agricultural space and the work that goes in to securing investment as a start-up.
EPISODE 67 Part 2
EPISODE 66 Part 1
Itumeleng Moima, a patisserie and culinary arts graduate, founded SoLuna in 2018, with the aim of creating high-quality products and making SoLuna cakes and desserts into a lifestyle brand.
Moima talks about her business model and some of the hurdles that prevent her from expanding her brand.
EPISODE 66 Part 2
EPISODE 65 Part 1
Women taking on more leadership roles is a complex and multifaceted issue in SA, as it is in many other countries.
Today’s female executives are redefining what leadership means, overcoming obstacles and promoting diversity in the workplace. Award-winning marketing professional and Telkom chief marketing officer Gugu Mthembu talks about her journey of leadership in the world of business and the changing landscape of consumer marketing.
EPISODE 65 Part 2
EPISODE 64 Part 1
Metropolitan Collective Shapers is a youth empowerment initiative that aims to equip young people with specialised knowledge and technical skills in various sectors.
The organisation’s chief marketing officer, Lindiwe Gumede, shares how the organisation plans to equip young entrepreneurs with these tools to create more income-generating opportunities through business development.
EPISODE 64 Part 2
EPISODE 63 Part 1
The growth of the mineral industry has resulted in various environmental issues and geological challenges, with Southern Africa particularly hard hit.
This has forced SMEs to implement strategic solutions that will keep their business afloat in the green economy. Host Rams Mabote invites Ndu Mining Solution founder and director Nondumiso Mdodana to talk about her business model and how to companies can diversify their service offerings in SA’s mining and agricultural sectors.
EPISODE 63 Part 2
EPISODE 62 Part 1
SMEs account for 95% of all registered businesses, contributing about 50% to the total GDP of sub-Saharan countries. However, many obstacles stand in the way of their growth and prosperity, despite the significant role they play.
Rams Mabote invites Telkom’s senior channel specialist for financial services, Refilwe Madigage, and Retail Capital’s head of sales, Chad Tessendorf, to talk about the latest SME financing solutions for entrepreneurs.
EPISODE 62 Part 2
EPISODE 61 Part 1
The advice to not “go into business with family” is often given, but what if you need family to explore an opportunity?
To answer that question, host Rams Mabote puts the spotlight on Berry Homeware, a locally based homeware and lifestyle brand owned by brother and sister duo, Neo Dulaze and Katleho Mchalla.
EPISODE 61 Part 2
EPISODE 60 Part 1
VisionAI is an AI-powered solution that is able to monitor properties and areas and recognises in real time the occurrence (or potential occurrence) of crimes such as arson, burglary, robbery and others.
Host Rams Mabote speaks to entrepreneur and co-founder Nhlanhla Simelane about the company’s current business model and how he aims to improve the AI technology emergency response times in this service, which is being rolled out across homes, townships, schools and private organisations.
Watch Episode 60 Part 2 below
EPISODE 59 Part 1
Nontokozo Madonsela was the owner of Spa88, an internationally-themed spa which unfortunately closed down its operations.
Madonsela shares her experiences and lessons learnt from her entrepreneurial journey with the brand, emphasising the importance of financial backing, risk management and leadership.
She highlights the challenges of balancing passion with business objectives and the necessity of building industry relationships.
Watch Episode 59 Part 2 below
EPISODE 58 Part 1
2023 came with its fair share of challenges for the SME sector. A lagging economy, rising interest rates and cost of living coupled with high unemployment held many small businesses back from reaching their full potential.
Host Rams Mabote is joined by Kurt Septoe, manager digital products & solutions at Telkom Business and Liam-Anthony Moses, head of commercial at Mobiz. Together they investigate some of the latest digital trends dominating the industry and how SMEs can adapt to the current socioeconomic landscape.
Watch Episode 58 Part 2 below
EPISODE 57 Part 1
SA’s unemployment rate has climbed to 32.9% in Q1 2024, with women remaining the most vulnerable. This concerning trend is pushing women towards entrepreneurship, with 87.9% of women entrepreneurs citing job scarcity as their reason for starting businesses.
One promising avenue for female entrepreneurs is the e-hailing industry, currently dominated by men. Business development representative for inDrive in SA, Vincent Lilane, discusses the opportunities this field holds for women seeking employment.
Watch Episode 57 Part 2 below
EPISODE 56 Part 1
Watch Episode 56 Part 2 below
EPISODE 55 Part 1
Street Wallet was born out of the recognition that SA’s millions of street vendors have largely been excluded from the ever-growing digital economy. The digitalisation of financial services and the decline of cash, which accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, has had an economic impact on SA’s poorest citizens.
Cape Town-based entrepreneur and CEO Kosta Scholiadis shares his journey in developing an innovative fintech solution that allows street vendors to access the digital economy.
Watch Episode 55 Part 2 below
EPISODE 54 Part 1
Up to 99% of South African start-ups now rely on bootstrapping (building a business without investment) due to a funding crunch.
Host Rams Mabote sits down with local entrepreneur and Luxity co-founder, Michael Zahariev, to discuss practical bootstrapping strategies that local start-ups can use to navigate the challenging economic landscape.
Watch Episode 54 Part 2 below
This series is sponsored by Telkom.
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Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.