The School of Entrepreneurship, TECSA and TECVEST are inviting you to the...
Township Entrepreneurship Masterclass
- Date: Tuesday, 7 May 2024
- Time: 17:30 - 18:30
- Location: Online via Zoom
- Hosts: Leon Lategan - Head Coach and Founder of The School of Entrepreneurship and Bheki Twala (TECSA)
Register Now
Your Hosts
Leon Lategan
Founder and Head Coach: School of Entrepreneurship’s
.He has coached, trained and spoken to over +50 000 entrepreneurs, business owners and corporates in South Africa and in 21 cities globally in countries such as Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Mauritius, Bahrain, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Bheki Twala
Founder & President: Township Economic Commission SA "TECSA" (NPC)
Bheki Twala is a nation-builder by nature, recognized as the recipient of the Community Builder of the Year Award in 1993. He is a special event specialist and consultant, a community-based business coach, and a team-building facilitator. Known as the guru in the making, Bheki is deeply passionate about the creative industry and social entrepreneurship development.
TECSA is a registered Non-Profit Company that was established by Soweto Citizens and its businesspeople, led by Mr. Bheki Twala to mobilize and empower Township-based Enterprises to exploit business opportunities emanating from Economic Development Initiatives in Townships
What is this all about
The Township Entrepreneurship Bursary Scheme Programme.
In a major step forward for economic development and entrepreneurship in South Africa, the Township Economic Commission SA “TECSA” (NPC) in collaboration with the School of Entrepreneurship (SOE) launched the Township Entrepreneurship Bursary Scheme Programme.
This Bursary Scheme stands as a testament to the power of collective effort in fostering an environment of innovation, self-reliance, and economic growth. The bursary applications are now open, and we invite existing or aspiring entrepreneurs to apply here.
A bursary covers 90% of the enrolment fee for qualifying students. Plus, students can win up to R100,000 in products, services, and cash to support their businesses upon completing the programme.
To find out more about this life changing opportunity:
- to start your business,
- to scale your existing business,
- to become part of this dynamic business ecosystem,
- to revolutionize township economy across South Africa,
- to setting a precedent for global community development and entrepreneurial success
…register below to book your seat.
Success Stories
Success stories of our students.
Thabo
Kasi 2 Kasi Plumbers Association
Before starting the programme Thabo made on average R 2000 profit per month. Currently his profits are between R 35 000 – R 80 000 per month.
Thabo is 54 years old and started his business in 2017. He joined the programme in 2023 and during the process, changed the whole focus and strategy of his business.
He operates in Diepsloot Soweto and extended his business to a plumbing association with 3 categories:
- Helping aspiring plumbers in townships to get certified
- Assist existing plumbers (3+years) to become certified and register with ARPL
- Assist qualified plumbers with access to the market and expand their profits.
He partnered with SETA Jhb and also works with Harmony Gold Mine.
His goal for 2024 is to upskill 3000 plumbers to get them certified and registered with the relevant
bodies.
With the knowledge he gained from the entrepreneurship programme he:
- Revisited and changed his strategies
- Changed his business management and focussed on what he does best
- Upskilled his marketing – especially improving his social media marketing
Nikho
Imbokodo Courier Services
During and after the programme she increased her profits with 75 % per month.
- she changed my whole business concept to specialize in a specific area
- she learnt and understand the importance of consistency now
- and to never give up, but rather to find solutions to every challenge she encountered
Velaphi
Gemini Engineering Solutions
His annual turnover before the programme: +/- R 250 000
His annual turnover after the programme: +/- R1.1 million
Velaphi is 40 years and started his business in 2015. He is an Engineering Consultant, based in Durban.
He self-funded using his payout after resigning from his job in 2015. Since the programme, he received a R100 000 grant from a Sasol Development Fund and as part of the Sasol Programme can get up to R10 Million interest-free loan for capital expenditure required for any specific customer project.
He has grown from being a subcontractor to being the main contractor on projects.
He sustains himself and 5 employees, with about a dozen contract workers.
Skills learnt particularly from the programme:
- Marketing strategies and following up with prospects
- Accountability (focus, motivation, goal setting)
- Branding (clarity and tools to use to save costs)
Jack
Chillas Zone
In the beginning, his business was small with low profits. Doing this programme contributed hugely to increasing his turnover and profits in his business.
Jack is 32 years old and based in Nkambako Village, Tzaneen, Limpopo.
His business was running for 18 months when he joined the programme in March 2023.
Valuable knowledge he gained from the programme:
- how to handle his finances better,
- improved his marketing strategy,
- the importance of time management (which he was lacking)
- understanding goal setting and the importance of it better
- problem analysis
He sees this programme as a “power tool” of knowledge and
guidance that he will continue to use to grow his business.
Preciah
Maxin Clothing
Doing the programme contributed hugely to increasing her turnover and profits.
Preciah is the Principal of Westvalia Day Care Centre. She lives in Khujwana Village and her business is based in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
She started her business as a hobby in October 2022, and was running for 4 months when she joined the programme in March 2023.
She employed a manager when she opened her 1st shop, in December 2023 she employed an assistant for her second shop.
She got a partner in 2023 and opened a second outlet in December 2023. She gained valuable knowledge regarding:
- pricing structures,
- understand the finances better and how to manage it,
- a better understanding of her business concept,
- gained much through proper marketing research as learnt from the programme,
- goal setting,
- corrected many mistakes she made in the beginning because she had little knowledge of how to run a business and
- motivation to never give up at times when she felt she wanted to give up.
Silas
Ultra Intellects Gardening and Cleaning
He was making less than R2000 per month and now he is making an average of R6000 per month.
Silas was one of the Bursary Students in 2023 when he was 36 years old. He has developed self mastery, sales skills, business compliance and his big ‘why’ as to why he is in business.”
Tasneem
E-commerce
She had no income prior and currently makes R3000 per month.
Tasneem was 20 years old when she attended the programme in 2022. She is based in Durban and started her online business after commencing the programme.
“The area of the course that had the greatest impact on me and my business was the mindset and personal development area. It taught me to be patient and consistent even if I wasn’t seeing results immediately”
Luyanda
Agricultural Business
At the start of the programme she was making R1000 per week and currently she is making R3500 per week.
Luyanda was 18 years old when she attended the programme in 2022, and also started her business during the same time (in 2022).
She is based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, and one of the most important aspects she learnt from the programme is: “Know your customer”.
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Video Testimonials
See what our happy students are saying
Written Testimonials
Read what our happy students are saying
Valentine Lunga
Class of 2023
“Coach Leon, you are the best!! thank you for a platform that educates and equips me to start and scale my business. The school of entrepreneurship has become part of my life. I have mixed emotions as i finish with my course, I am happy that i have learnt so much, have built amazing friendships with the other students and have been taught by the best but i will miss you and all the other coaches. Thank you so much !! I will go out there and implement all that i have been taught, cant’t wait.”
★★★★★
Thomas Antoine-Williams
Class of 2023
★★★★★
Sue Lorraine
Class of 2023
“Words are not enough to thank you Coach Leon for giving me this life-changing opportunity. When l was chosen for this program and started the journey l knew that my life would not be the same again .l learned so much from you and all the coaches you brought for us on this program. l have improved as a person and an entrepreneur. The program was more than l expected..l can say it was rich in every way. I thank you for the opportunity to meet great and inspiring colleagues in this program. God bless you richly for giving me this opportunity to be part of this awesome community and for all you have taught me. “
★★★★★
Nobuhle Zondi
Class of 2023
“I truly appreciated this journey. The school has provided me with invaluable resources and guidance to help me on my entrepreneurial journey.
The courses I have taken have given me the knowledge and tools to build a solid foundation for my business. I now have a better understanding of the business landscape and how to position my company for success. I have also learned about the importance of creating a strong brand and marketing strategy, which has helped me to attract and retain customers. Thank you so much.”
