entrepreneurs

Piecing together a success story

From playing with puzzles for fun to making a living out of the games, entrepreneur Mamaki Mlangeni attributes her success to hard work, commitment - and vital skills learned at a training and information centre that is helping thousands of South Africans start up their own businesses.

UK backs Africa Enterprise fund

The United Kingdom has donated US$20-million to a new fund which will help businesses to encourage entrepreneurship in Africa.

Investment guru finds value in SA

Texas-based fund manager John Mauldin pays another visit to South Africa - and is amazed at the difference 13 years can make.

Blakely, Branson back SA women

Entrepreneurs Sara Blakely and Richard Branson are backing South Africa's Women on the Move programme, which empowers young women to take control of their lives and help build responses to HIV/Aids and poverty in their communities.

SA man scoops business ‘Oscar’

Bill Lynch, who built Imperial into South Africa's largest transport and mobility conglomerate after arriving in the country 35 years ago with little money and no job, has been named 2006 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Support for small contractors

The Gauteng government is to launch onsite construction contact centres, designed to improve delivery of services to small businesses in the construction industry, in 12 districts throughout the province.

Boost for small tourism operators

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is to invest R185-million over the next three years in a programme designed to help small businesses in South Africa's burgeoning tourism sector.

India to Durbs for UK call centre

Brightview, a UK internet service provider with 250 000 customers, has moved its call centre from India to the KwaZulu-Natal coastal city of Durban in a R23.5-million deal with South African contact centre Bizworks.

Branson school for small business

For the first time anywhere in the world, international tycoon Sir Richard Branson has lent his name to an educational institution - the Branson School of Entrepreneurship in the heart of Johannesburg.

Bank backs entrepreneurs’ fund

Emerging entrepreneurs stand to benefit from a R240-million financial injection into the Umsobomvu Youth Fund's entrepreneurship programme, which helps 18- to 35-year-olds from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to start up their own small businesses.