South Africa
Despite its well-developed natural resources, sophisticated industrial base and modern infrastructure, South Africa suffers from very high unemployment, extreme poverty and other remnants of the apartheid era. These include a poor educational system and lack of business skills, networks and entrepreneurial drive among groups that were formally marginalized from the mainstream eco-
nomy. TechnoServe's vision is to make the benefits and opportun-
ities of the rapidly emerging "developed economy" accessible to everyone.
Since 2003, we have been supporting the national agenda of black economic empowerment by helping previously disadvantaged people gain the skills, information and resources they need to create new economic opportunities. We are helping entrepre-
neurial people to develop new farms and raise capital to support growth in some of the country's poorest regions. We are also promoting the overall growth of South Africa's indigenous business sector through entrepreneurship programs and by nurturing the next generation of young leaders.
More about TechnoServe's work in South Africa »
TechnoServe/South Africa
13th Floor, Metal Box Centre
25 Owl Street
Milpark, South Africa
Tel: 27-11-482-6001
Fax: 27-11-482-5588
esampson@technoserve.org.za
Country Director: Earl Sampson
Established: 2003
Practices: Building Businesses and Industries ; Developing Entrepreneurs ; Improving the Business Environment
Sectors:
South Africa
Investing in the Future
A poultry cooperative is being helped to grow and create new income opportunities in a region hard-hit by South Africa's apartheid history.
Developing Entrepreneurs
Business Plan Competitions
TechnoServe’s Believe Begin Become program identifies and assists promising entrepreneurs to grow profitable, sustainable businesses. The program has two distinct phases—the business plan competition and after-care services—to help the participants create enterprises that will generate jobs and income across many sectors of the economy. The competition prepares the entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable business plans, and the after-care program provides mentorship, networking opportunities and ongoing support.
Key supporters: Standard Bank, the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Enterprise Development Agency and the University of Johannesburg’s Branson School of Entrepreneurship
Building Businesses and Industries
Agriculture & Agribusiness › Horticulture
In the impoverished part of northeastern KwaZulu Natal, where only one-third of the potential workforce is employed, TechnoServe is helping a company establish a pineapple and vegetable farm that has the potential to create up to 200 jobs. Our business advisors are helping the company develop a business plan and financial model, devise a rotation scheme, and secure financing and markets for its products. As a result, the company has secured government funding for infrastructure and community capacity development. We have also mentored eight businesses in the impoverished municipalities of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and conducted diagnostic studies on an additional 13 businesses, most of them fruit and vegetable farms. These businesses have the potential to employ up to 1,000 people and make a significant contribution to economic development in the region.
Key supporters: W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Business Trust of South Africa and Ford Foundation
Agriculture & Agribusiness › Other
TechnoServe is helping two sugar-cane cooperatives to expand. Having helped them develop business plans and secure commercial financing, TechnoServe is now providing ongoing technical mentorship as well as business support (specifically, developing accounting systems and processes). Our work with these clients has provided a foundation for TechnoServe’s expanding services.
Key supporters: Ford Foundation and J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation
Tourism
TechnoServe/South Africa is launching a new tourism program based on Mozambique’s experience. Tourism is increasingly viewed as a highly effective way to generate economic and social development in South Africa—it is resource efficient and labor intensive, lending itself well to businesses that are eco-friendly and have the potential to create significant employment. TechnoServe is investigating supporting two promising clients in the Sodwana area on the northern reaches of the KwaZulu Natal coast, and implementing a small business plan competition in the communities surrounding the exclusive Madikwe Game Reserve.
Key supporters: Ford Foundation
