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A recent survey found that many South African entrepreneurs needed help with things such as business planning. Find out more about how to prepare...

The Coega industrial development zone has contributed almost 15 000 jobs to Eastern Cape and has an investment value of nearly R3bn. It has huge potential to grow more entrepreneurs, placing it well for the country's plan to boost black industrialists.

With Skywise taking to the air in March, South Africans now have four low-cost carriers to choose from - and already the new entrant appears to have had an impact on end-user fares.

The overall long-term outlook for South Africa and other emerging markets is of increasing importance for the global economy, says Brand South Africa research manager Petrus de Kock, ahead of Wednesday's seminar on investor perceptions at Wits Business School in Johannesburg.

South Africa ranks at a respectable 53rd in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report. It is second among the Brics countries, and many aspects of its financial sector are the best in the world.

International economists predict steady growth in the South African economy over the next year, one sign that the country is increasingly competitive globally – and is attracting substantial interest from Chinese investors.

International satellite service provider Intelsat is partnering with South African investor groups and the Industrial Development Corporation to build and launch a new US$250-million (about R2.55-billion) satellite to serve telecoms and broadcasting companies in Africa.

US-based Denham Capital, a leading energy-focused global private equity firm, has announced an equity investment of US$150-million in BioTherm Energy, a South African developer, owner and operator of renewable and clean energy generation projects.

Six auto component manufacturers are in the process of concluding investment deals worth more than R1-billion with South Africa's Coega Development Corporation, with their factories to be located within the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park in Uitenhage.

South Africa and the West African country of Ghana share a similar story of economic mismanagement by authoritarian rule followed by democracy, reform and remarkable growth - and now enjoy an increasingly favourable trade and investment relationship.