Applications are now open for the SAB foundation Tholoana Enterprise Program 2019. The SAB Foundations Tholoana Enterprise Programme is a wrap-around solution supporting the growth of businesses in South Africa.

Moreover, the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise program runs for up to two years and follows a carefully designed and well-proven method. This has delivered exceptional results time and again across many business sectors. Further, The support package includes extensive entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship and access to tools and templates. Connection to peers around the country, as well as access to markets and finance,  make this an exciting and successful programme.

Additionally, The Tholoana Enterprise Programme challenges participants to make changes and professionalize their business by thinking, planning and acting differently. Also, this level of change requires the full commitment of the entrepreneur to enable solid growth as opposed to “quick-fix” solutions.

Focus Areas

In 2019 they will be recruiting an additional 70 high-potential businesses to take up this life-changing opportunity. The focus areas of the 2019 programme include:

• Enterprises run by or benefitting people with disabilities
• Women and youth-owned businesses
• Peri-urban and also,  rural enterprises
• Enterprises that create jobs in areas with few other opportunities

In addition, they are keen to identify enterprises with good long-term growth potential, and high-impact for example potential for job creation.

• Export potential and/or import substitution
• Growth sectors
  • Water, energy and waste sector
  • Education (excluding the early childhood development sector)
  • Technology
  • Agro-processing
• Identified growth areas e.g. Saldhana, Lephalale

Eligibility

• The business is black-owned and managed
• The business is operational
• Further, the business is headquartered and registered (if applicable), within the South African borders
• The business should be a going concern, commercially sustainable and viable
• Also, the applicant is involved in the business’s daily operations and management on a full-time basis, and are not employed by any other organization
• The applicant has the skills and experience necessary for the type of business you’re engaged in
• The business is in the early stages of growth (older than six months and no more than five years)

Expectations

The expectations of all participants are as follows:

• Participate fully in all workshops, peer groups, and programme intervention
• Complete all baseline and yearly surveys as requested, for a period of five years
• Likewise, submit monthly business data – including simple online financial reports
• Regularly engage with mentors, ensuring that you utilize their knowledge and support
• Meet all milestones agreed upon
• Further, maintain open, two-way communications (including any concerns and suggestions) with our friendly team
• Share ideas, think big and also,  help yourself, and others to succeed!