# Business Partners Limited > Business Partners Limited - Business Loan Provider for Viable SMEs ## Pages - [Services - SME Youth Jobs Fund](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-sme-youth-jobs-fund/): Business Partners Limited SME Youth Jobs Fund Looking to expand your workforce but concerned about the cost? We have introduced... - [Find out more](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/find-out-more/): Find out more Complete the form below and we'll be in touch as soon as possible. - [Services - Property Management](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-management/): Property Management Services Property and Asset Management Services Our Property and Asset Management Services Division delivers specialised property broking and... - [Competition](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/competition/): Business Partners PPRA Rules of Competition Business Partners Limited Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA)... - [Basadi-Women Growth Fund](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/basadi-women-growth-fund/): Business Partners Limited Basadi-Women Growth Fund We have introduced the Basadi-Women Growth Fund offering finance from R250 000 up to... - [Become a Business Partners Ltd Intermediary - Profile Creation](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/become-a-business-partners-ltd-intermediary-profile-creation/): How to create your Intermediary Profile Four quick steps to set up your profile https://www. businesspartners. co. za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Step1. svg 1.... - [Short Term Finance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/short-term-finance/): SME Finance Solution Short-Term Finance Business Partners Ltd Short-Term Finance provides quick access to finance ranging from R250 000 to... - [Asset Finance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/asset-finance/): SME Finance Solution Asset Finance Business Partners Ltd Asset Finance provides Asset Finance ranging from R250 000 to R5 000... - [Become a Business Partners Ltd Intermediary](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/become-a-business-partners-ltd-intermediary/): Become a Business Partners Ltd Intermediary Help your clients get the finance they need and earn commission (a referral fee)... - [Info Hub - Growth Centre](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-growth-centre/): Info Hub Growth Centre Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth Centre Goldmine of business insight available to all SA entrepreneurs While South... - [Unsubscribe](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/unsubscribe/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Unsubscribe Welcome to Business Partners Limited.... - [Subscribe](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/subscribe/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Subscribe Welcome to Business Partners Limited.... - [Office Locations](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/office-locations/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Office Locations HEAD OFFICE T 011... - [FAQs - Property Tenants](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-property-tenants/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubsribeUnsubsribe Property Tentants All available properties to... - [Energy Fund for SMEs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/energy-fund-for-smes/): SME Finance Solution Energy Fund for SMEs You are at the right website, wrong page. Our Energy Fund for SMEs... - [Services - Green Buildings Finance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-green-buildings-finance/): SME Finance Solution Green Buildings Finance You are at the right website, wrong page. Our Green Buildings Finance term concluded... - [About Us - Corporate Centre](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/about-us-corporate-centre/): Corporate Centre Corporate Services and Registered Office PHYSICAL ADDRESS 37 West Street Houghton Estate Johannesburg, 2198 South Africa POSTAL ADDRESS... - [FAQs - Subscribe](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-subscribe/): Contact UsBilling & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Newsletter Subscription By completing the form available... - [FAQs - New Finance Enquiries](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-new-finance-enquiries/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe New Finance Enquiries We do not... - [FAQs - Media & Public Relations](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-media-public-relations/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Media & Public Relations You can... - [FAQs - HR Enquiries](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-hr-enquiries/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe HR Enquiries We advertise all our... - [FAQs - General Enquiries](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-general-enquiries/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe General Enquiries We consider all viable... - [FAQs - Billing & Accounts](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-billing-accounts/): Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribe Billing & Accounts We generate and... - [Info Hub - Careers](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-careers/): Info Hub Careers Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth Centre At Business Partners Ltd, we recognise that our employees’ knowledge, skills and... - [Info Hub - Client Stories](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-client-stories/): Info Hub Client Stories Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth Centre - [Info Hub - Business Tips](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-business-tips/): Info Hub Business Tips Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth Centre - [Info Hub - Media Releases](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-media-releases/): Info HubMediaReleasesMedia ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth Centre - [Our Clients](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/our-clients/): Our Clients We pride ourselves on tailoring our finance to offer you a fair deal and meet your unique needs... - [Services - Property Joint Venture Fund](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-joint-venture-fund/): SME Finance Solution Property Joint Venture Fund The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal... - [Services - Property Finance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-finance/): SME Finance Solution Property Finance The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal business. We... - [Services - Business Finance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-business-finance/): SME Finance Solution Business Finance The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal business. We... - [Services - Non-Financial Services](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-non-financial-services/): Non-financial Services Our added-value services provide an integrated solution for you, catering for all aspects of your business needs. These... - [Business Funding](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-funding/): Our Application Process Application Steps We aim to be as quick as possible in giving you a response to your... - [About us - Our Heritage](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/about-us-our-heritage/): Our Heritage Over 45 Years Of Financing Entrepreneurs Our Story Africa and the world, needs more business owners – especially... - [Whistleblower Hotline](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/whistleblower-hotline/): Business Partners International Ethics and Whistleblower hotline One of our company values is integrity, which means that our actions should... - [External Privacy Policy](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/external-privacy-policy/): Business Partners Limited External Privacy Policy 1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT 1. 1. 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Winners to be announced on 22... ## Posts - [What SMEs must know before entering strategic partnerships](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-must-know-before-entering-strategic-partnerships-2/): For South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs), collaborations, distribution arrangements and supplier relationships are often much more than just... - [Survey reveals SMEs have clear expectations and firm voting intentions ahead of local elections](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/survey-reveals-smes-have-clear-expectations-and-firm-voting-intentions-ahead-of-local-elections/): South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have entered the local government election period with clear expectations around the conditions... - [Why SMEs fail: Lessons from the experts](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-smes-fail-lessons-from-the-experts/): A widely cited piece of research by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) estimates that between 70% and 80%... - [Why smart businesses are prioritising customer retention over customer acquisition](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-smart-businesses-are-prioritising-customer-retention-over-customer-acquisition/): When initially getting a business off the ground, growth is often measured by the ability to attract and win new... - [What SMEs must know before entering strategic partnerships](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-must-know-before-entering-strategic-partnerships/): For South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs), collaborations, distribution arrangements and supplier relationships are often much more than just... - [Skills transfer critical to protect SMEs as experienced staff retire](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/skills-transfer-critical-to-protect-smes-as-experienced-staff-retire/): A recent survey titled The Great Retirement revealed that 51% of the global workforce is expected to retire or leave... - [R14 to R1 million: the woman cleaning up the industry](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/r14-to-r1-million-the-woman-cleaning-up-the-industry/): When Fatima Davids arrived in Cape Town in 2017, she had just R14 in her pocket. What she lacked in... - [Determined entrepreneur turns disaster into business success](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/determined-entrepreneur-turns-disaster-into-business-success/): For four years, Fefe Ntsoelengoe fought to keep her nail-care business alive after the franchise she bought into collapsed in... - [5 Ways to build a more resilient and successful business](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/5-ways-to-build-a-more-resilient-and-successful-business/): There is no single definition of business success. For some entrepreneurs, it means expanding into new markets, while for others... - [Beyond local is lekker – Why SA SMEs need to demonstrate tangible community impact this Heritage Month](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/beyond-local-is-lekker-why-sa-smes-need-to-demonstrate-tangible-community-impact-this-heritage-month/): While local identity may open the door, lasting customer loyalty is increasingly driven by the positive impact businesses have on... - [Don't wait for December: A hospitality SME's guide to festive season readiness](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/dont-wait-for-december-a-hospitality-smes-guide-to-festive-season-readiness/): For many hospitality businesses, the festive season can bring about significant customer activity, making Tourism Month the ideal time to... - [Tourism Month: Hospitality SMEs urged to capitalise on new domestic travel growth opportunities](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/tourism-month-hospitality-smes-urged-to-capitalise-on-new-domestic-travel-growth-opportunities/): September marks Tourism Month and provides an opportunity to recognise the increasingly important role domestic tourism is playing in driving... - [Why operational simplicity is a competitive advantage for SMEs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-operational-simplicity-is-a-competitive-advantage-for-smes/): Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assume that growth means adding more products, more systems and more technology. While expansion... - [Don't let these operational mistakes spoil your festive season](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/dont-let-these-operational-mistakes-spoil-your-festive-season/): September is Tourism Month in South Africa and the country's tourism sector is also heading into the 2026 festive season... - [Top sectors creating new opportunities for SA’s women entrepreneurs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/top-sectors-creating-new-opportunities-for-sas-women-entrepreneurs/): For many South African women entrepreneurs, building a successful business requires navigating significant obstacles, such as limited access to finance,... - [How to cut costs without compromising staff or customers](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-cut-costs-without-compromising-staff-or-customers/): Managing costs has shifted from being a competitive advantage to a business imperative for South African businesses. Between the ongoing... - [Steady growth over rapid expansion: why long-term success always wins](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/steady-growth-over-rapid-expansion-why-long-term-success-always-wins/): According to Xero’s 2026 State of South African Small Business report, 84% of local small businesses say they are prioritising... - [Business Partners Limited launches R150 million SME Youth Jobs Fund set to create youth employment](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-partners-limited-launches-r150-million-sme-youth-jobs-fund-set-to-create-youth-employment/): In response to South Africa's deepening youth unemployment crisis and the financial constraints that often prevent small and medium enterprises... - [Funding mistakes SMEs make when under financial pressure](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/funding-mistakes-smes-make-when-under-financial-pressure/): The latest Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index found that 9 in 10 South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs)... - [Why digital resilience has become a business imperative for SMEs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-digital-resilience-has-become-a-business-imperative-for-smes/): In June, Meta experienced a global outage that disrupted Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp services for users worldwide, leaving many businesses... - [Five practical tips to put your customers at the heart of your next tech upgrade](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/five-practical-tips-to-put-your-customers-at-the-heart-of-your-next-tech-upgrade/): Modern technology promises faster operations, lower costs, and greater efficiency. But for many businesses, the disruption it brings can be... - [Garden Route entrepreneur pivots and turns empty parking bays into a goldmine](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/garden-route-entrepreneur-pivots-and-turns-empty-parking-bays-into-a-goldmine/): One of the tests of true entrepreneurship is the ability to change direction fast when circumstances change or when projections... - [Family ties give packaging business new lease on life](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/family-ties-give-packaging-business-new-lease-on-life/): Reshma and Vinesh Yakub embody the idea that family-run businesses possess a resilience that allows them to grow and endure... - [What every business owner should know about omnichannel marketing](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-every-business-owner-should-know-about-omnichannel-marketing/): There was a time, not so long ago, when an email address and a website were all a business needed... - [SA SMEs need relief from rising compliance costs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sa-smes-need-relief-from-rising-compliance-costs/): A March 2026 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed South Africa’s business environment under the spotlight, warning... - [Surging fuel costs force SA SMEs into survival mode as confidence cracks](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/surging-fuel-costs-force-sa-smes-into-survival-mode-as-confidence-cracks/): South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) entered 2026 on a more cautious footing as rising fuel prices, driven by... - [How SMEs can use data tools to understand their customers](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-smes-can-use-data-tools-to-understand-their-customers/): In a market where margins are thin and competition is intense, data-led customer insight is no longer a “nice to... - [SMEs: Turning difficult conversations into better performance](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/smes-turning-difficult-conversations-into-better-performance/): In small and medium enterprises (SMEs), performance management is often not formalised. Many small businesses operate without dedicated human resources... - [The Future Calls and SA's Entrepreneurs Are Answering](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-future-calls-and-sas-entrepreneurs-are-answering/): As South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising under the national theme RESET@50: The Future Calls, the... - [Business 101: AI for SMEs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-101-ai-for-smes/): While enthusiasm for AI across South Africa’s business landscape is running high, its ability to deliver meaningful returns is still... - [These are the young entrepreneurs tackling South Africa’s employment crisis head-on](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/these-are-the-young-entrepreneurs-tackling-south-africas-employment-crisis-head-on/): As South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis persists, young entrepreneurs are stepping in to create the opportunities they can’t find, building... - [Q4 2025 report shows stability in power supply boosts SMEs while seasonal trade offers little financial reprieve](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/q4-2025-report-shows-stability-in-power-supply-boosts-smes-while-seasonal-trade-offers-little-financial-reprieve/): Nearly half (46,5%) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed in the latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited... - [Access to capital: a persistent barrier for South Africa’s young entrepreneurs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/access-to-capital-a-persistent-barrier-for-south-africas-young-entrepreneurs/): South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis continues to deepen as reflected in Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). The... - [Why women- and youth-owned businesses need targeted support](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-women-and-youth-owned-businesses-need-targeted-support/): Women and youth now drive a growing share of South Africa’s small and medium enterprise (SME) funding demand, making up... - [How to avoid common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make under pressure](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-avoid-common-financial-mistakes-entrepreneurs-make-under-pressure/): Running a small business in South Africa has never been easy, but the ongoing inflationary pressure and economic uncertainty have... - [Top tax mistakes that hurt small businesses the most – and how to avoid them](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/top-tax-mistakes-that-hurt-small-businesses-the-most-and-how-to-avoid-them/): Many South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) severely underestimate the time and money required to stay on top of... - [Here’s how SMEs can survive the ongoing fuel price hikes](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/heres-how-smes-can-survive-the-ongoing-fuel-price-hikes/): South African small businesses continue to face pressure from persistently high and volatile fuel costs, with fluctuations at the pumps... - [Interest rates, credit reform and SMME survival: what business owners need to know](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/interest-rates-credit-reform-and-smme-survival-what-business-owners-need-to-know/): Access to affordable credit remains one of the biggest determinants of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) survival. The problem,... - [Workers' Day: How SMEs can retain skilled staff when corporates can pay more](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/workers-day-how-smes-can-retain-skilled-staff-when-corporates-can-pay-more/): As South Africa marks Workers’ Day on 1 May, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are facing increasing pressure to... - [Investing in employees - a critical step for SME growth](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/investing-in-employees-a-critical-step-for-sme-growth/): In honour of the fight for workers’ rights, the focus around Workers' Day often falls on elements such as wages... - [For this breadwinner at 15, entrepreneurship was the only path that made sense](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/for-this-breadwinner-at-15-entrepreneurship-was-the-only-path-that-made-sense/): Nomagcinasana “Gcina” Mdlankomo grew up under the stand of her mother’s fruit and vegetable stall at the taxi rank in... - [He lost everything twice, but each time rebuilt something even greater](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/he-lost-everything-twice-but-each-time-rebuilt-something-even-greater/): When Vincent Mutyaba thinks back 25 years to when he left Uganda as a young man and travelled to South... - [Find your financial freedom with these 9 cashflow tips](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/find-your-financial-freedom-with-these-9-cashflow-tips/): Many business owners start their own ventures in pursuit of freedom, the freedom to work for themselves, not having to... - [Freedom through entrepreneurship, but not without support](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/freedom-through-entrepreneurship-but-not-without-support/): Many South Africans see entrepreneurship as a fast-track to economic freedom, however in reality, many local small and medium enterprises... - [What SMEs need from South Africa’s business ecosystem this Freedom Day](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-need-from-south-africas-business-ecosystem-this-freedom-day/): South Africa has come a long way in the 32 years since holding its first democratic elections, achieving political and... - [How to prepare your business pitch for funding](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-prepare-for-your-business-pitch-for-funding/): The general success rate for business funding applications in South Africa remains low, with industry estimates suggesting that fewer than... - [Winners announced for the 16th annual SME Toolkit Business Plan Competition](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/winners-announced-for-the-16th-annual-sme-toolkit-business-plan-competition/): South Africa’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs once again took the spotlight in the 2025 SME Toolkit South Africa Business Plan Competition. Now... - [Small businesses bear the cost of South Africa’s late payment negligence](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/small-businesses-bear-the-cost-of-south-africas-late-payment-negligence/): The National Treasury’s latest payment data points to a worsening late payment crisis across national and provincial government departments, raising... - [How SMEs can use AI for product development](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-smes-can-use-ai-for-product-development/): Product development is notoriously time consuming and expensive. It requires research, testing, iteration and often multiple failed attempts before something... - [How SA SMEs can take control of their cash flow and build financial resilience](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-sa-smes-can-take-control-of-their-cash-flow-and-build-financial-resilience/): Cash flow remains one of the toughest challenges for South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Not only does it... - [The SME disconnect – why are SMEs not seeing benefits from economic uptick?](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-sme-disconnect-why-are-smes-not-seeing-benefits-from-economic-uptick/): South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reported a broad-based decline in confidence during the third quarter of 2025, despite... - [How to beat the odds in your first year of business](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-beat-the-odds-in-your-first-year-of-business/): According to recent data from the Australian . Failure rates in South Africa are nearly double that, with 40% of... - [Why SA SMEs need to hire smart in this economy, not fast](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-sa-smes-need-to-hire-smart-in-this-economy-not-fast/): South Africa’s current labour market presents a paradox that many business owners know all too well. On the one hand,... - [Proactive succession planning key to leaving a lasting legacy](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/proactive-succession-planning-key-to-leaving-a-lasting-legacy/): When building a business from the ground up, founders are often asked about the legacy they want to leave to... - [New fund unlocks finance for women entrepreneurs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/new-fund-unlocks-finance-for-women-entrepreneurs/): Business Partners Limited has launched a new fund designed to support women-owned businesses that struggle to access finance through traditional... - [Local factory a bulwark against tide of imports](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/local-factory-a-bulwark-against-tide-of-imports/): Having spent his whole life in the hair care and cosmetics industry, Shailesh Bhavanbhai knows how important it is to... - [Born with the business: entrepreneur building a R100 million family legacy](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/born-with-the-business-entrepreneur-building-a-r100-million-family-legacy/): Khaya Sakawuli is one of the few entrepreneurs who can claim that he is exactly the same age as his... - [How to protect your business from the cybercrime surge](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-protect-your-business-from-the-cybercrime-surge/): Whether your business is experiencing its busiest period or a slowdown, one constant threat remains, the ongoing surge in cybercrime,... - [Your first hire matters more than you think – here’s how to get it right](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/your-first-hire-matters-more-than-you-think-heres-how-to-get-it-right/): Bringing your first employee on board is a major milestone for any small business, but it’s also one of the... - [Should your business offer Buy Now, Pay Later?](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/should-your-business-offer-buy-now-pay-later/): Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing developments in South Africa’s payment landscape. While card payments... - [Building a values-driven business: Why culture matters even in a small team](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/building-a-values-driven-business-why-culture-matters-even-in-a-small-team/): Research indicates that employees who feel a strong connection to their organisation’s culture are four times more likely to be... - [How to manage your business online reputation this festive season](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-manage-your-business-online-reputation-this-festive-season/): As we step into the festive season, it is a perfect time to reflect on what truly matters for small... - [Brainstorming: your hidden weapon for business success](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/brainstorming-your-hidden-weapon-for-business-success/): It’s been a tough year for many South African entrepreneurs. A 2025 study revealed that more than half (52,8%) of... - [Breaking barriers: Business Partners Limited launches new Basadi-Women Growth Fund to close the gender financing gap](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/breaking-barriers-business-partners-limited-launches-new-basadi-women-growth-fund-to-close-the-gender-financing-gap/): The GEM SA Special Report: Women’s Entrepreneurship in South Africa Report (2024) reveals a concerning trend: the rate of women... - [An entrepreneur’s guide to spotting market gaps that matter](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/an-entrepreneurs-guide-to-spotting-market-gaps-that-matter/): Entrepreneurship and passion are somewhat synonymous, but passion alone is not enough to be successful in business. The most successful... - [Resilience on the short: the inspiring comeback of Crawfords Beach Lodge](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/resilience-on-the-short-the-inspiring-comeback-of-crawfords-beach-lodge/): When Mark Crawford looks out over the buildings of Crawfords Beach Lodge nestled among lush coastal vegetation above the beautiful... - [Educational entrepreneur’s success a bulwark against the forces that tried to destroy him](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/educational-entrepreneurs-success-a-bulwark-against-the-forces-that-tried-to-destroy-him/): It’s rare for the story of a single entrepreneur to highlight on one of South Africa’s greatest obstacles to progress... - [Africa’s growing demand for South African businesses takes centre stage during Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/africas-growing-demand-for-south-african-businesses-takes-centre-stage-during-global-entrepreneurship-week/): As Global Entrepreneurship Week shines a spotlight on innovation and cross-border opportunities, Africa’s economic momentum is impossible to ignore. With... - [Small businesses urged to treat Black Friday as a visibility moment, not a discount race](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/small-businesses-urged-to-treat-black-friday-as-a-visibility-moment-not-a-discount-race/): As the world prepares for another Black Friday (28 November), South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a golden... - [The smart entrepreneur’s guide to letting go of a business idea](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-smart-entrepreneurs-guide-to-letting-go-of-a-business-idea/): According to research by the University of the Western Cape, between 70% and 80% of small businesses in South Africa... - [Why in-person networking still matters for business owners](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-in-person-networking-still-matters-for-business-owners/): Essential preparation tips for attending networking events In the words of business magnate, Richard Branson, “Success in business is all... - [How to put your mental health first as a business owner](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-put-your-mental-health-first-as-a-business-owner/): Countless studies confirm the relationship between poor mental health or even a negative mood and lost productivity, but many of... - [From Funeral Services to Fashion: South Africa’s Most Innovative Entrepreneurs of 2025](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/from-funeral-services-to-fashion-south-africas-most-innovative-entrepreneurs-of-2025/): Five SMEs are transforming South Africa’s economy through innovation, job creation, and unconventional leadership In a year marked by economic... - [Funeral industry innovator named SA’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year®](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/funeral-industry-innovator-named-sas-2025-entrepreneur-of-the-year/): South Africa’s funeral industry is valued at over R10 billion yet remains one of the country’s least digitised sectors. In... - [SME confidence lifts amid global pressures as businesses pin hopes on Madlanga Commission](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sme-confidence-lifts-amid-global-pressures-as-businesses-pin-hopes-on-madlanga-commission/): South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are cautiously optimistic that the newly established Madlanga Commission will mark a turning... - [PR vs Marketing: How can PR elevate your small business](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/pr-vs-marketing-how-can-pr-elevate-your-small-business/): Public relations (PR) and marketing are often terms that are used interchangeably. In business, both functions are critical in building... - [Purpose pays: How young entrepreneurs can build businesses with impact](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/purpose-pays-how-young-entrepreneurs-can-build-businesses-with-impact/): There used to be a common misconception that doing good and doing well were mutually exclusive in business. However, as... - [Daring to dream big: the engineering small business that has gone global](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/daring-to-dream-big-the-engineering-small-business-that-has-gone-global/): While most entrepreneurs typically start their businesses in their late thirties, after first spending years learning the ins and outs... - [In Cape Town’s packed tourism scene, guest house finds its place with golf](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/in-cape-towns-packed-tourism-scene-guest-house-finds-its-place-with-golf/): When Jolyon Proudman and Heike Lührmann started La Roche Guesthouse in a leafy street in the coastal Cape Town suburb... - [The weakest link in a business’s computer system is not where you think it is](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-weakest-link-in-a-businesss-computer-system-is-not-where-you-think-it-is/): The number one threat in the online security of businesses in South Africa is not in their computer systems, but... - [Boss’s Day is due for a rethink – lets celebrate leadership, not just titles](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/bosss-day-is-due-for-a-rethink-lets-celebrate-leadership-not-just-titles/): Every year on 16 October, many business owners and leaders find themselves awkwardly accepting cards or gifts from their teams... - [Celebrating SA’s real MVPs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/celebrating-sas-real-mvps/): Every year on 16 October, Boss’s Day gives employees an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the people who lead them... - [SA's economic drivers: 15 business owners vie for the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year® title](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sas-economic-drivers-15-business-owners-vie-for-the-2025-entrepreneur-of-the-year-title/): As South Africa grapples with modest growth and high unemployment, entrepreneurs are stepping up as job creators and economic drivers.... - [Stronger minds, stronger businesses: Why entrepreneurs need mental mentors](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/stronger-minds-stronger-businesses-why-entrepreneurs-need-mental-mentors/): Running a business is often portrayed as a path to independence and success. But behind the scenes, many entrepreneurs are... - [Infrastructure: the missing link in South Africa’s SME growth story](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/infrastructure-the-missing-link-in-south-africas-sme-growth-story/): As South Africa marks Transport Month, the country’s infrastructure challenges continue to pose serious barriers to the growth and development... - [A time for renewal: How SMEs can streamline processes for a more seamless operation](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/a-time-for-renewal-how-smes-can-streamline-processes-for-a-more-seamless-operation/): As a small to medium business (SME) owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook... - [Common legal mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/common-legal-mistakes-smes-make-and-how-to-avoid-them/): Legal matters can be confusing within the business landscape and particularly so for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). From contract... - [Saving strategies for SMEs: Cutting costs without cutting corners](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/saving-strategies-for-smes-cutting-costs-without-cutting-corners/): For many South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economic conditions in the country have pushed profitability to a critical... - [Entrepreneur builds a thriving guest house - and a big extended family](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/entrepreneur-builds-a-thriving-guest-house-and-a-big-extended-family/): Few businesses are as all-consuming as a guest house. Take JJ Pieterse, who has built up the Ramasi Guest Services... - [Playing the long game, entrepreneur fulfils her bright yellow dream](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/playing-the-long-game-entrepreneur-fulfils-her-bright-yellow-dream/): Growing up poor in a small rural village in the Eastern Cape, Tuletu Kobo fixated on the dream of one... - [Diversification: the best insurance policy against a tourism slump](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/diversification-the-best-insurance-policy-against-a-tourism-slump/): The Covid-19 pandemic was a brutal lesson that travelling, the lifeblood of the tourism industry, can come to an abrupt... - [Local is lekker: the business case for going local this Heritage Day](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/local-is-lekker-the-business-case-for-going-local-this-heritage-day/): Entrepreneurs who source and make local products often feel like they are competing against a global stage, even when their... - [Mastering the art of business negotiation for SMEs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/mastering-the-art-of-business-negotiation-for-smes/): In business, few skills are as universally valuable as the ability to negotiate well. Whether you’re securing better payment terms... - [Using technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/using-technology-to-streamline-operations-and-improve-efficiency/): For local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is a constant pressure to do more with less, which means finding... - [Turning crisis into capital: how one training business is empowering entrepreneurs](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/turning-crisis-into-capital-how-one-training-business-is-empowering-entrepreneurs/): Sherene Anandham had worked her way up in the corporate world from shop assistant to group financial manager when the... - [From inclusive to profitable: 8 ways to support women at work](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/from-inclusive-to-profitable-8-ways-to-support-women-at-work/): Women’s Month presents a uniquely South African opportunity for business owners to reflect on one of the most important competitive... - [Drilling into opportunity and tackling mining one rig at a time](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/drilling-into-opportunity-and-tackling-mining-one-rig-at-a-time/): Zanele Nkosi never imagined she’d one day be running a drilling company, breaking new ground, literally and figuratively in the... - [Women’s Month: celebrating progress, inspiring possibility](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/womens-month-celebrating-progress-inspiring-possibility/): When René Botha, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, reflects on her career spanning over two decades, she sees... - [Five tips for opening and running a hospitality business in 2025](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/five-tips-for-opening-and-running-a-hospitality-business-in-2025/): As South Africa gears up to host the G20 Leaders Summit in November – the first ever on African soil... - [Supporting young business owners: The power of intergenerational collaboration in small business innovation](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/supporting-young-business-owners-the-power-of-intergenerational-collaboration-in-small-business-innovation/): Youth unemployment in South Africa is at concerning levels, with the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Stats SA revealing... - [Bridging the gender finance gap in South African entrepreneurship](https://www.businesspartners.co.za/bridging-the-gender-finance-gap-in-south-african-entrepreneurship/): New research from Mastercard reveals that 57% of South African women identify as entrepreneurs, surpassing the regional average of 51%... # # Detailed Content ## Pages - Published: 2026-07-30 - Modified: 2026-08-31 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-sme-youth-jobs-fund/ Business Partners Limited SME Youth Jobs Fund Looking to expand your workforce but concerned about the cost? We have introduced the SME Youth Jobs Fund, offering finance from R250 000 to R2 million to established SMEs to cover labour-related costs associated with newly created jobs for youth aged 18 to 35, including salaries and wages. With finance typically available at Prime less 2% (subject to risk assessment and approval) and a six-month interest-only repayment period, the Fund is designed to support business growth while easing the financial burden of hiring and developing new talent. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundSME Youth Jobs Fund Finance Your Growth. Create Jobs. Empower South Africa's Youth. The SME Youth Jobs Fund provides affordable finance from R250 000 to R2 million to fund labour-related costs associated with newly created jobs. This enables businesses to expand their workforce while creating employment opportunities for young South Africans. The funding covers the first 2 years of salaries and wages for newly employed youth aged 18 to 35 years, helping businesses manage hiring costs while investing in long-term business growth. Why Entrepreneurs Should Choose The SME Youth Jobs Fund The SME Youth Jobs Fund has been exclusively established to assist SMEs looking to onboard new employees. Through the Fund, you can expand your workforce with reduced financial pressure We offer an initial 6-month interest-only period. Thereafter, monthly capital and interest repayments for the remainder of the term We are invested in... - Published: 2026-05-26 - Modified: 2026-09-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/find-out-more/ Find out more Complete the form below and we'll be in touch as soon as possible. - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-management/ Property Management Services Property and Asset Management Services Our Property and Asset Management Services Division delivers specialised property broking and management solutions designed specifically for the needs of SMEs. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundProperty and Asset Management Services Our Property and Asset Management Services Division delivers specialised property broking and management solutions designed specifically for the needs of SMEs. We offer: Property broking services: sourcing and securing business premises at market‑related rentals or purchase prices to support your operational growth Integrated property management: comprehensive management services for enterprises that own property, whether for their own use or as income‑generating rental assets Our national property management portfolio spans a diverse range of commercial requirements, with a strong focus on the retail and industrial sectors. Properties under our management include individual retail sites, shopping centres, office spaces, and industrial parks located across all major commercial hubs in South Africa. Our aim is to ensure that SMEs benefit from professionally managed, well‑maintained, and strategically located business premises that support long‑term sustainability and growth. Looking for property to rent or a company to manage your property? If you are looking for property to rent or a company to manage your property, reach out to our Property and Asset Management Services Division. Submit an enquiryWant to FICA for Property Practitioners Act compliance? In accordance with Section 54 of the Property Practitioners Act (the Act), administered by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), all tenant rental deposits... - Published: 2026-02-13 - Modified: 2026-03-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/competition/ Business Partners PPRA Rules of Competition Business Partners Limited Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Compliance Competition Rules) Terms & Conditions i. Eligibility • The lucky draw is open to all active tenants in good standing with their rental accounts • Tenants must submit complete and valid Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) documentation as listed in the communication from Business Partners Limited • Only submissions received by 23:59 on 16 March 2026 will be considered ii. Entry criteria • One entry per tenant account, regardless of multiple documents submitted • Incomplete or invalid FICA submissions will not qualify for the draw iii. Winner selection • Winners will be chosen via a random draw conducted by the Business Partners Limited management team • The draw will take place within 10 working days after the closing date being 16 March 2026 • Winners will be notified via email and/or telephone. If a winner cannot be reached within 5 working days, a new winner may be selected • Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit iv. General • By entering, tenants consent to their names being announced for winner communication purposes • Selecting Yes to the Lucky Draw constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions - Published: 2025-01-22 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/basadi-women-growth-fund/ Business Partners Limited Basadi-Women Growth Fund We have introduced the Basadi-Women Growth Fund offering finance from R250 000 up to R5 million for women-owned SMEs. This initiative stems from our recognition that South African women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers in accessing finance – such as limited collateral, gender bias in lending practices, and restricted networks for capital. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundBasadi-Women Growth Fund By bridging this gap, the Basadi-Women Growth Fund aims to empower women-led businesses and unlock their potential as drivers of inclusive development. The Business Partners Limited Basadi-Women Growth Fund provides business finance ranging from R250 000 to R5 million to women entrepreneurs with a viable formal business. The finance can be used for property acquisition, working capital, asset or equipment finance, acquisitions or takeovers, start-up franchises or as replacement finance. Why You Should Choose Our Business Finance You should choose the Business Partners Limited Basadi-Women Growth Fund because: We are invested in seeing business owners succeed: We have spent over four decades adjusting our products and services to boost the success of the business owners we support We provide more than just money: Because we understand the experiences and challenges business owners face, we take more risk than most financiers We offer a repayment moratorium of up to 6 months We offer interest capitalisation of up to 6 months Loan Amount R250 000 to R5 million Our Financing Criteria To qualify, the legal entity borrowing... - Published: 2024-09-11 - Modified: 2024-10-31 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/become-a-business-partners-ltd-intermediary-profile-creation/ How to create your Intermediary Profile Four quick steps to set up your profile 1. Capture details Enter your personal and contact details 2. Verify your email Follow the simple email verification steps 3. Wait for approval We will review and approve your profile within 7 days 4. Start applying Once you profile has been approved you will abe able to submit applications for your clients Get started - Published: 2023-10-25 - Modified: 2026-08-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/short-term-finance/ SME Finance Solution Short-Term Finance Business Partners Ltd Short-Term Finance provides quick access to finance ranging from R250 000 to R750 000 to established and viable businesses. The finance can be used for the working capital needs of your business. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundShort-Term Finance Quick finance for your short-term working capital needs. About Business Partners Ltd Short-Term Finance Business Partners Ltd Short-Term Finance provides quick access to finance ranging from R250 000 to R750 000 to established and viable businesses. The finance can be used for the working capital needs of your business. What Can The Short-Term Finance Be Used For? Business Partners Ltd Short-Term Finance solves the short-term cash constraints for the business. Finance can be used to address: (I)Temporary cash constraints due to Change to Growing debtors book. Upfront investment in stock before receiving cash from customers Entering a new growth phase Quiet periods in a cyclical business. (II)Unexpected large cash requirement due to: A new contract Peak demand for specific products A sudden increase in input costs Does Your Business Qualify? To qualify, your business must meet the following criteria: The business must be a registered entity. The business must have a trading history of no less than 2 years. The business must reflect a history of growth in turnover. The business must have a valid tax clearance certificate. The business must have a profitable track record. The business must have a clear credit record. The... - Published: 2023-10-25 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/asset-finance/ SME Finance Solution Asset Finance Business Partners Ltd Asset Finance provides Asset Finance ranging from R250 000 to R5 000 000 to established and viable businesses. The finance can be used to purchase business equipment such as manufacturing or engineering equipment. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundAsset Finance Access equipment finance up to R5 million. About Business Partners Ltd Asset Finance Business Partners Ltd Asset Finance provides asset finance ranging from R250 000 to R5 million to established and viable businesses to acquire the essential equipment they need to grow their business. If needed, we also cover the VAT associated with the equipment acquisition. The finance can be used to purchase business equipment such as manufacturing or engineering equipment. Choose us to unlock your potential today! What type of equipment do we finance? We can only finance new equipment through the Business Partners Ltd Asset Finance. Below is a list of equipment types that can be financed through this financing solution: Manufacturing equipment e. g. CNC and milling machinery Engineering equipment e. g. laser cutting and fabricating machinery Alternative energy equipment e. g. solar panels, inverters Other general equipment Does Your Business Qualify? To qualify, your business needs to meet the following criteria: The business must be a registered entity. The business should have a trading history of no less than 2 years. The business must have a profitable track record. The business must have a clear credit record. The business must... - Published: 2023-09-12 - Modified: 2024-10-31 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/become-a-business-partners-ltd-intermediary/ Become a Business Partners Ltd Intermediary Help your clients get the finance they need and earn commission (a referral fee) for your efforts. Create a new profileLog in with an existing profileWe provide finance ranging from R500 000 to R50 million to established entrepreneurs with a viable formal business. We tailor our finance to meet the business’s unique needs and negotiate pricing and repayment terms with each client. By becoming an intermediary, you can apply for finance on your client’s behalf or simply refer the client to us. You will receive a commission once the transaction has been concluded and the money has been disbursed to the client. Become a Business Partners Ltd Intermediary Help your clients get the finance they need and earn commission (a referral fee) for your business. Step 1 Create a profile on our easy to use online platform. Step 2 You can submit and track one or multiple applications on your client’s behalf. The application will be assigned to an investment professional. Both you and your client will then be kept up to date on the progress of your client’s application. You can make and track multiple applications on behalf of your different clients. Step 3 Receive your commission once the transaction is concluded and the first money disbursement is made to the client. Create new profileGet Intermediary training Whether you are a new or existing Business Partners Ltd Intermediary, join one of our training sessions to learn more about our financing solutions and how... - Published: 2023-05-21 - Modified: 2026-07-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-growth-centre/ Info Hub Growth Centre Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth CentreGoldmine of business insight available to all SA entrepreneurs While South Africans are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship as a career choice, many aren’t always equipped with the information and resources to start a business or are very wary of starting their entrepreneurial journey unprepared for the future challenges they may face. To bridge this gap and to supply both budding and experienced entrepreneurs with advice and assistance, Business Partners Limited has the Entrepreneurs Growth Centre. Through financing small and medium enterprises over 45 years, Business Partners Limited has built up an immense store of knowledge and skills invaluable to any business. It has now found a way of giving South African entrepreneurs quick and free access to this gold mine of information and insight. Any person, anywhere in South Africa, is able to contact Business Partners Limited’ Entrepreneurs Growth Centre to discuss any queries they have about business – “How do I register for VAT? How do I fire a disruptive employee without running into trouble at the CCMA? Is my pricing right? How do I get into exporting? Am I paying too much for my credit card merchant service? Should I buy this building, or go on renting it? Is my business plan any good? ” Assistance from the Business Partners Limited’s Entrepreneurs Growth Centre is free of charge and entrepreneurs are able to get in touch via telephone or email. To reach the Entrepreneurs Growth Centre, please call 0861 763... - Published: 2023-05-21 - Modified: 2026-07-23 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/unsubscribe/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeUnsubscribe Welcome to Business Partners Limited. Your email inbox and other communication platforms are part of your personal space and we want to make sure we always respect your preferences. While we would like to stay connected and do not want to see you go, however, should you wish to unsubscribe, you can click on the button below to complete the unsubscribe form. Should you wish to re-subscribe at a later stage, you are always welcome. UnsubscribeLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-05-21 - Modified: 2026-07-23 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/subscribe/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeSubscribe Welcome to Business Partners Limited. By completing the form available from the subscribe button below, you will receive our newsletters with business tips and entrepreneur stories, personalised promotions, as well as updates on our products and services on offer to you. The form allows you to select your preferred communication medium. We look forward to staying in touch. SubscribeLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-05-21 - Modified: 2026-08-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/office-locations/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeOffice Locations Branch Contact & Locations HEAD OFFICE T 011 713 6600 F 011 713 6650 enquiries@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL 37 West Street Houghton Estate Johannesburg, 2198 POSTAL PO Box 7780 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa BLOEMFONTEIN T 051 403 9846 F 051 403 9847 enquiries@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL 19 Reid Street Westdene Bloemfontein, 9300 POSTAL PO Box 25932 Langenhoven Park, 9330 South Africa CAPE TOWN T 021 464 3600 bpmarketingwc@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL 1 Mispel Road Corner of Mispel & Durban Roads Belville, 7530 POSTAL PO Box 4295 Cape Town, 8000 South Africa DURBAN T 031 240 7700 F 031 266 7286 T 031 240 7702 (Property Management Services) enquiries@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL Business Partners Centre 23 Jan Hofmeyr Road Westville, 3630 POSTAL PO Box 636 Westville, 3630 South Africa EAST LONDON T 043 721 1525 F 043 726 0317 enquiries@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL Leadwood House Cedar Square Bonza Bay Road Beacon Bay East London, 5214 POSTAL PO Box 19669 Tecoma East London, 5214 South Africa EAST RAND (BOKSBURG) T 011 395 4150 F 011 395 2565 enquiries@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL Ground Floor, Left Wing Block B, Clearwater Office Park 2 Park Road, Corner of Atlas Road Parkhaven Ext 8 POSTAL Boksburg, 1459 PO Box 17019 Atlasville, 1465 South Africa GEORGE T 044 873 6112 bpmarketingwc@businesspartners. co. za PHYSICAL Office 6D Shamrock Place 97 York Street George, 6529 GQEBERHA T 041 367 1082 F 041 367 3962... - Published: 2023-05-21 - Modified: 2023-09-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-property-tenants/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubsribeUnsubsribeProperty Tentants Where Can I Find The List Of Available Properties For Sale Or To Let? All available properties to let or for sale are available in the Info Hub section of our website. Where Can I Log A Fault With The Premises I Am Renting? Please contact your Property Manager as soon as possible or complete the enquiry form available from the link below to report this. I Am Experiencing Challenges With My Billing, Where Can Report This? Please contact your Property Manager as soon as possible or complete the enquiry form available from the link below to report this and we will ensure this is fixed. Still have a question? Submit An EnquiryLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-04-25 - Modified: 2025-07-07 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/energy-fund-for-smes/ SME Finance Solution Energy Fund for SMEs You are at the right website, wrong page. Our Energy Fund for SMEs term concluded at the end in March 2025. We are excited to announce that we now finance your energy supply needs through our Asset Finance. Let us help you power your business! Vist our Asset Finance Page - Published: 2023-04-25 - Modified: 2025-07-07 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-green-buildings-finance/ SME Finance Solution Green Buildings Finance You are at the right website, wrong page. Our Green Buildings Finance term concluded at the end of March 2025. We are excited to announce that we can finance your property through our Property Finance. Vist our Property Finance Page - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-10-15 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/about-us-corporate-centre/ Corporate Centre Corporate Services and Registered Office PHYSICAL ADDRESS 37 West Street Houghton Estate Johannesburg, 2198 South Africa POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 7780 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa T +27 11 713 6600 F +27 11 713 6650 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1981/000918/06 Our Leadership Team OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS N Martin (Chairperson) J Lang (Managing Director) CW Ceasar RA Dolphin (Executive Director) O Kotze M Lubbe PL Makape NS Mbatha L Mdluli SST Ngcobo HE Tshivhase A van Sittert NJ Williams HONORARY PATRON JP Rupert OUR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM Jeremy Lang (Managing Director) Gugu Mjadu (Executive General Manager: Marketing and Impact Investing) Marjan Gerbrands (Company Secretary and Corporate Legal Counsel) Rayna Dolphin (Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer) Tumelo Applegreen (Executive General Manager: Property Management Services) Veroshen Naidoo (Chief Investment Officer) Vuyisile Mfecane (Enterprise Risk Manager) BBBEE Rating Business Partners Limited has been verified by Empowerdex, an accredited verified B-BBEE rating agency, in order to obtain our B-BBEE score based on our March 2026 financial and operational results. Given Business Partners Limited’s B-BBEE score, a Level 1 Contributor status conferring a score of 97,63 percent and the classification as a Value-Adding Enterprise; any enterprise can claim 135% as B-BBEE Procurement of the value procured from Business Partners Limited. Please click here to find a copy of the B-BBEE certificate. The Business Partners Limited Client Service Charter We always strive to delight our clients with exceptional service. Our Charter is our promise to you, our client, that we will always serve you... - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2023-09-11 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-subscribe/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeNewsletter Subscription By completing the form available from the subscribe button below, you will receive our monthly newsletter with articles on the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector eco-system and entrepreneur stories. We look forward to staying in touch. SubscribeLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-08-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-new-finance-enquiries/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeNew Finance Enquiries Do You Provide Grants Or Loans? We do not provide grants; we only offer business loans ranging from R250 000 to R50 million. How Much Do You Offer In Business Finance? We offer business finance ranging from R500 000 to R50 million to viable small and medium enterprises. We consider property transactions up to R30 million and joint venture multi tenanted properties of up to R75 million. The finance offered is tailor made to suit the circumstances of each applicant. How Much Interest Do You Charge? There is no set interest charge in place; each transaction is priced to offer a fair deal. We tailor our finance to meet your business’s unique needs and negotiate pricing and repayment terms with you. Ready to Apply? Apply NowStill have a question? Submit An EnquiryLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2024-06-11 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-media-public-relations/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeMedia & Public Relations How Do I Add My Name Or Media Platform On Your Media Mailing List? You can complete the enquiry form available from the link below and provide your key contact information and we will add you to the media mailing list. Where Can I Find Your Latest Media Statements? Our media statements available in the Info Hub section of our website. Who Can I Contact To Schedule An Interview? You can contact: Mandisa Masondo Senior Public Relations Officer w: +27 11 713 6600 | m: +27 71 272 8142 mmasondo@businesspartners. co. za Devon van der Venter Senior Public Relations Account Manager m: +27 82 529 8067 devon. vanderventer@mslgroup. comStill have a question? Submit An EnquiryLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2023-09-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-hr-enquiries/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeHR Enquiries Where do you advertise available positions? We advertise all our available positions on the Career Junction website. Occasionally, we work with recruitment agencies or run recruitment drives at institutions of higher learning. Can I send you my CV for any future positions? No. We would advise you to register your CV on the Career Junction website – and continuously check the website for available positions. Where can I view available positions? To view the current positions available at Business Partners Limited, please visit: https://www. careerjunction. co. za What can I expect from your recruitment process? Our recruitment process starts off with a short list being compiled for the job opportunity based on candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the role. The shortlisted candidates are invited for a maximum of three interviews. After the interviews, candidates that are being considered are then invited to complete a psychometric assessment (to see what this is about, please visit our service provider’s website: (www. shl. com). Reference and qualification checks are also conducted. Once there is a match between the prospective employee and Business Partners Ltd, a job offer is extended to the successful candidate (if any). Please understand that we communicate only be with short-listed candidates, and if you do not receive a reply from us within four weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. Still have a question? Submit An EnquiryLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-07-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-general-enquiries/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeGeneral Enquiries Does Business Partners Ltd have specific entrepreneur groups that it finances? We consider all viable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for business finance. Does Business Partners Ltd finance women entrepreneurs? Yes, we finance established entrepreneurs of all genders and to address some of the societal challenges, we put in efforts to support businesses run by female entrepreneurs. We also have a Fund set up specifically for women: the Basadi-Women Growth Fund. Do you finance start-ups? We finance start-ups in very exceptional cases; usually this would be a start-up started by a serial entrepreneur or by an individual with years of experience working in the industry in which they are starting the business. Does Business Partners Ltd Finance Black Entrepreneurs? Yes, we finance established entrepreneurs of all races and to address some of the societal challenges, we put in efforts to support businesses run by females and black entrepreneurs. Does Business Partners Ltd Finance White Entrepreneurs? Yes, we finance established entrepreneurs of all races. What makes Business Partners Ltd different from banks and financial institutions offering business finance? Entrepreneurs are our exclusive focus and, as such, we offer products and services specifically tailored to meet their unique needs. We have been investing in entrepreneurs since 2006 and offer both business finance and added-value solutions, catering for every step of the business journey. Our staff have in-depth knowledge of the SME sector, as well as insight into... - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2023-09-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/faqs-billing-accounts/ Contact Us Billing & AccountsGeneral EnquiriesHR EnquiriesMedia & Public RelationsNew Finance EnquiriesProperty TenantsOffice LocationsSubscribeUnsubscribeBilling & Accounts When do you send out statements of invoices? We generate and send out statements and invoices from the 26th to 28th day of the month and you should expect to have received your account information by the last day of the month. I am not going to be able to meet my repayment obligations this month, who do I contact? Please contact your Investment Officer/ Manager as soon as possible or send an email to the relevant details listed at the bottom of the page to update us. My contact information has changed, how do I ensure the information is updated on your records? Please update your information on the Client Portal or complete the enquiry form available from the link below to provide us with updated contact information. I have not been receiving my statements, how do I fix this? Please complete the enquiry form available from the link below and provide us with updated contact information; we will ensure you receive your statements. Still have a question? Submit an EnquiryLet us help grow your business. - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-07-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-careers/ Info Hub Careers Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth CentreAt Business Partners Ltd, we recognise that our employees’ knowledge, skills and competencies are essential in the achievement of our goal to be a world-class, added-value investor in small and medium enterprises. Our main objective is to recruit the best people who experience job satisfaction, are able to grow and develop in their working environment and above all the pride of working at a world-respected organisation. OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS Our recruitment process starts off with a short list being compiled for the job opportunity based on candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the role. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for a maximum of three interviews. Candidates that are seriously being considered will further be invited to complete a psychometric assessment (to see what this is about, please visit our service provider’s website: www. shl. com. Reference and qualification checks are also conducted. Once there is a match between the prospective employee and Business Partners Ltd, a job offer will be extended to the successful candidate (if any). Please understand that correspondence will only be with short-listed candidates, and if you do not receive a reply from us within four weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions. To view the current positions available at Business Partners Ltd, please feel free to browse our search facility on the Apply for a position page. Business Partners Ltd offers market-related remuneration plus compelling benefits.... - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2026-08-03 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-client-stories/ Info Hub Client Stories Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth CentreBPL Admin2026-07-10T09:25:39+02:00Garden Route entrepreneur pivots and turns empty parking bays into a goldmine One of the tests of true entrepreneurship is the ability to change direction fast when circumstances change or when projections don’t materialise. Calvin Els, a life-long entrepreneur from George Read More >BPL Admin2026-07-10T09:24:23+02:00Family ties give packaging business new lease on life Reshma and Vinesh Yakub embody the idea that family-run businesses possess a resilience that allows them to grow and endure across generations, regardless of their size. About a year Read More >BPL Admin2026-05-26T09:11:30+02:00For this breadwinner at 15, entrepreneurship was the only path that made sense Nomagcinasana “Gcina” Mdlankomo grew up under the stand of her mother’s fruit and vegetable stall at the taxi rank in Langa, a township in Cape Town. The youngest of Read More >BPL Admin2026-05-26T09:11:37+02:00He lost everything twice, but each time rebuilt something even greater When Vincent Mutyaba thinks back 25 years to when he left Uganda as a young man and travelled to South Africa as a refugee, the US $50 he had Read More >BPL Admin2026-02-17T09:18:24+02:00Local factory a bulwark against tide of imports Having spent his whole life in the hair care and cosmetics industry, Shailesh Bhavanbhai knows how important it is to follow the latest fashion trends. Yet, as an entrepreneur, Read More >BPL Admin2026-02-17T09:15:58+02:00Born with the business: entrepreneur building a R100 million family legacy Khaya Sakawuli is one of the few entrepreneurs who can claim that he is exactly the same... - Published: 2023-02-21 - Modified: 2023-09-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-business-tips/ Info Hub Business Tips Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth CentreFaiz Hartley2025-10-16T10:55:47+02:00The weakest link in a business’s computer system is not where you think it is The number one threat in the online security of businesses in Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-10-16T10:53:15+02:00Boss’s Day is due for a rethink – lets celebrate leadership, not just titles Every year on 16 October, many business owners and leaders find Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-10-15T11:05:45+02:00Celebrating SA’s real MVPs Every year on 16 October, Boss’s Day gives employees an opportunity Read More >Veroshen Naidoo2025-10-06T14:02:43+02:00Infrastructure: the missing link in South Africa’s SME growth story As South Africa marks Transport Month, the country’s infrastructure challenges continue Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-10-01T13:53:39+02:00A time for renewal: How SMEs can streamline processes for a more seamless operation As a small to medium business (SME) owner, it’s easy to Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-10-01T13:52:08+02:00Common legal mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them Legal matters can be confusing within the business landscape and particularly Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-10-01T13:52:27+02:00Saving strategies for SMEs: Cutting costs without cutting corners For many South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economic conditions Read More >Friedrich2025-09-17T09:47:53+02:00Diversification: the best insurance policy against a tourism slump The Covid-19 pandemic was a brutal lesson that travelling, the lifeblood Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-09-09T14:20:32+02:00Mastering the art of business negotiation for SMEs In business, few skills are as universally valuable as the ability Read More >Jeremy Lang2025-09-04T09:59:06+02:00Using technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency For local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is a constant Read More >Kgomotso Ramoenyane2025-08-27T19:02:08+02:00From... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2023-09-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/info-hub-media-releases/ Info Hub MediaReleases Media ReleasesBusiness TipsClient StoriesCareersGrowth CentreFaiz Hartley2025-10-16T10:55:47+02:00The weakest link in a business’s computer system is not where you think it is The number one threat in the online security of businesses in Read More >BPL Admin2025-10-13T16:01:13+02:00SA’s economic drivers: 15 business owners vie for the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year® title As South Africa grapples with modest growth and high unemployment, entrepreneurs Read More >Amogelang Montane2025-10-13T13:57:19+02:00Stronger minds, stronger businesses: Why entrepreneurs need mental mentors Running a business is often portrayed as a path to independence Read More >Veroshen Naidoo2025-10-06T14:02:43+02:00Infrastructure: the missing link in South Africa’s SME growth story As South Africa marks Transport Month, the country’s infrastructure challenges continue Read More >BPL Admin2025-09-17T11:00:26+02:00Local is lekker: the business case for going local this Heritage Day Entrepreneurs who source and make local products often feel like they Read More >BPL Admin2025-08-22T10:29:47+02:00Women’s Month: celebrating progress, inspiring possibility When René Botha, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, reflects Read More >Gugu Mjadu2025-08-08T11:38:24+02:00Bridging the gender finance gap in South African entrepreneurship New research from Mastercard reveals that 57% of South African women Read More >David Morobe2025-07-28T09:32:26+02:00Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards now open for entries SA entrepreneurs are rising beyond their roots, but growth demands support Read More >David Morobe2025-07-11T10:21:48+02:00Beyond 67 minutes: SMEs hold the key to lasting community upliftment Did you know that South Africa has around 3 million small Read More >BPL Admin2025-07-08T14:16:24+02:00SA entrepreneurs are rising beyond their roots, but growth demands support SME confidence is climbing in 2025, with more business... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2026-08-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/our-clients/ Our Clients We pride ourselves on tailoring our finance to offer you a fair deal and meet your unique needs as a business owner. It’s not surprising that over 40% of our business per year is with existing clients. Click here to read more about our clients. Fatima Davids Founder: Corpchem Industry: manufacturing In 2017, with just R14 in her pocket and two sons to care for, Fatima relocated to Cape Town to pursue opportunity. Failure was simply not an option. Today, she is growing her business even further as the very first recipient of the Basadi-Women Growth Fund. Watch VideoNeriva Wolff CEO: Dump Truckers Industry: Waste Management With financing from Business Partners Limited, Neriva grew the fleet of Dump Truckers from 4 to 16 trucks, created employment for more than 65 people, and is in the process of building a stronger, more sustainable operation. Watch VideoBrian Poopedi Founder of Revo Quest Training Institute Industry: Education, skills development Brian received Short-Term Finance for his skills development and RPL-focused training company that’s helping experienced professionals turn real-world expertise into accredited qualifications and new opportunities. Watch VideoMARNEWICKE LOUBSER (Co-owner) Tiny Tots Academy Industry: Education “We went from bank to bank, literally all the major banks... . and eventually we heard about Business Partners, we got in contact with them, the meeting was set up literally within a week. The support and services we received from Business Partners is mainly obviously the financing of the properties, then we also got further financing of... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-joint-venture-fund/ SME Finance Solution Property Joint Venture Fund The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal business. We structure unique, individualised financing solutions using shareholder loans, equity, royalties and term loans – or any combination of these. We pride ourselves on having developed a range of finance products offering maximum flexibility to suit your specific needs. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundProperty Joint Venture Fund Video on why you should own your business premisesUp To 100% Commercial Property Finance Our Property Joint Venture Fund provides finance to established entrepreneurs looking to add multi- tenanted properties to their investment portfolio. We do this because we understand that multi-tenanted properties provide both capital appreciation and a rental income. We co-invest in multi-tenanted property projects mainly in two instances: When a potential investor (established entrepreneur) is unable or unwilling to invest the full deposit (equity) required by a commercial lending institution. Where a viable property investment has been over-geared and needs a restructuring of the existing debt, converting debt finance to equity finance. Our Property Joint Venture Fund Criteria Property investments in sustainable areas offering good growth and/or return on investment, preferably in metropolitan areas. Retail, industrial, and commercial multi-tenanted properties with a value of between R2 million and R120 million. Properties that require reconfiguration or upgrades. Cut-up-and-sell properties and industrial leasebacks. The prospective property investor may choose to either have an active role or be a passive investor. Property Types... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-property-finance/ SME Finance Solution Property Finance The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal business. We structure unique, individualised financing solutions using shareholder loans, equity, royalties and term loans – or any combination of these. We pride ourselves on having developed a range of finance products offering maximum flexibility to suit your specific needs. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundProperty Finance Video on why you should own your business premisesUp To 100% Commercial Property Finance Our Property Fund caters to established entrepreneurs with a viable business who want to refinance or purchase their own premises, but may have limited capital or security to contribute, or may not want to compromise the business’ cash resources for the deposit. We also finance Residential property developments, Properties for student accommodation and Commercial property developments. You should choose our commercial property finance because: In most cases, conventional financiers require a cash deposit before considering financing a property deal. The deposit amount depends on the risk appetite of the financier and deposits of up to 50% may be required. We allow the business owner a choice of different financing options and can structure the deal by advancing up to 110% of the financing required, subject to terms and conditions. Our Financing Criteria The underlying business must be proven to be viable and been in existence for no less than two years. The business should have a sound financial track record. The business must... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-business-finance/ SME Finance Solution Business Finance The core of our focus is providing you with finance for your formal business. We structure unique, individualised financing solutions using shareholder loans, equity, royalties and term loans – or any combination of these. We pride ourselves on having developed a range of finance products offering maximum flexibility to suit your specific needs. Business FinanceProperty FinanceProperty Joint Venture FundAsset FinanceShort Term FinanceBasadi-Women Growth FundSME Youth Jobs FundBusiness Finance We provide business finance ranging from R500 000 to R50 million to established entrepreneurs with a viable formal business. Finance can be used for expansion, working capital, equipment, takeovers, property, franchises, property finance for owner occupied businesses, revamps, or management buy-outs. Our Financing Criteria We only finance viable formally registered small and medium enterprises. We only provide finance between R500 000 and R50 million. Each application is considered on its merits and on the potential profitability of the business. See below for a list of businesses we do not finance. What We Assess For Our first assessment is based on the cash flow viability and potential of the business, the product/service and its market acceptability, market size, the gearing of the business – debt to capital ratio of the business which influences its ability to exist and grow, the business’ track record, the stage of its development and medium to long-term profit potential, technical aspects, location of the business. This makes us different from most traditional financiers, particularly banks, who focus on security (the extent of the... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2026-07-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/services-non-financial-services/ Non-financial Services Our added-value services provide an integrated solution for you, catering for all aspects of your business needs. These include consulting and mentorship services, offered through a database of highly skilled business and industry specialists, as well as property broking and management services offered through our Property Management Services Division. Technical Assistance Programme Many business failures can be attributed to financial, management and reporting factors that can ordinarily be addressed through mentorship and technical assistance support throughout a business’s life cycle. It is for this reason we provide technical assistance through expert consultants to help business owners navigate the many challenges they face in their business journey and close the skills gap that may exist within a business. Through this Technical Assistance Programme, we provide access to the skills and support a business owner needs, when they need it. Criteria The Technical Assistance Programme is only available to existing and new Business Partners Ltd clients and the cost of the services offered is charged at a zero-interest rate. Technical assistance is coupled to the finance deal, repayable over the term of the said finance deal. The Technical assistance funding may not exceed 30% of the original finance received from Business Partners Ltd. Note: If you are not a Business Partners Ltd client, please consider our Mentorship Support Service for support. Key Areas of Support General business technical assistance and consulting This covers advice and assistance with basic and practical functions, coaching, problem diagnosis, customised solutions and implementation assistance, e.... - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2025-03-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-funding/ Our Application Process Application Steps We aim to be as quick as possible in giving you a response to your application. You can expect to undergo the following steps in your application process: Continue to applicationStep 1 You complete our application assessment online. Step 2 We conduct an initial assessment and provide you with an in-principle response. Step 3 If your application meets the minimum requirements, we invite you to complete our finance application. Step 4 We conduct due diligence. This process may involve you submitting additional documents e. g. business permits or municipal rates clearance certificate. Step 5 We structure the financing terms including pricing and negotiate with you. Once we reach an agreement, we obtain approval from internal approval committees. Step 6 We provide you with feedback regarding your approval. If your application has our investment committee’s approval, we prepare legal documentation for signature. Step 7 We disburse funds to you according to agreed terms. Step 8 You repay the loan according to agreed terms. - Published: 2023-02-14 - Modified: 2026-07-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/about-us-our-heritage/ Our Heritage Over 45 Years Of Financing Entrepreneurs Our Story Africa and the world, needs more business owners – especially those who start-up, establish and grow SMEs. Research has proven that entrepreneurial SMEs are very effective at stimulating economic growth, generating wealth and creating jobs – all of which are required for us to successfully combat unemployment and poverty which afflicts much of the world. To encourage more people to pursue entrepreneurship as a noble career, we must honour and celebrate entrepreneurs as role models – the true heroes of economic society who, often against all odds, generate wealth for themselves and their families and create jobs for many – and we must champion their cause. This is what we strive to do at Business Partners Limited. Our History Our story started in 1979 at a business conference in downtown Johannesburg. The late Dr Anton Rupert – egged on by his son, Johann – proposed the idea for a joint venture between the public and private sectors to finance and support SMEs. In 1981 the Small Business Development Corporation Ltd (SBDC) was established, with both the public and private sectors having equal shareholding. The main role of the SBDC was to provide investment capital and business support to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). These beneficiary businesses could be a start-up, in the process of expansion, or one without access to capital markets. In short, the SBDC backed potential. The SBDC quickly gained a reputation for being first-class in its... - Published: 2021-10-11 - Modified: 2022-06-02 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/whistleblower-hotline/ Business Partners International Ethics and Whistleblower hotline One of our company values is integrity, which means that our actions should always be consistent and reflect ethical, honest and transparent behaviour. Furthermore, we should respect all individuals regardless of race, gender or religion. To ensure and track adherence to the integrity value, Business Partners International has an Ethics and Whistleblower Hotline that serves as a mechanism for employees, clients, shareholders and the public to bring any unethical practices to the attention of management. To protect the whistle-blower, the Business Partners International Ethics and Whistleblower Hotline acts as an independent conduit between management, employees and stakeholders. It is independently operated by the audit firm, Deloitte. All information is treated confidentially and the anonymity of the whistle-blower is always protected. To allow us to address the complaints reported, we receive a re gular analysis of the call and email complaints and independent investigations are launched where necessary. Please use this opportunity to report any unethical behaviour, theft, fraud or related activity within our company. How to use the Ethics and Whistleblowing Hotline Step 1 Dial the number listed below under you country, or email the information through to the Business Partners Ethics and Whistleblowing Hotline at bpl@tip-offs. com. Step 2 You may choose to remain anonymous. Step 3 Provide full details in respect of the fraudulent, corrupt or unethical practice to the call operator/in your email: Who was involved doing what? What has happened? How was it done and how often was it... - Published: 2021-08-17 - Modified: 2021-09-14 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/external-privacy-policy/ Business Partners Limited External Privacy Policy 1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT 1. 1. BUSINESS/PARTNERS is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. 1. 2. This privacy policy describes how we collect and use personal information about you during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with the requirements of section 18 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”) (also commonly known as a section 18 notice). 1. 3. BUSINESS/PARTNERS is a “responsible party”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about you. We are required under data protection legislation to notify you of the information contained in this privacy notice. 1. 4. This notice applies to current and former clients, directors, stakeholders, applicants for employment and independent contractors of BUSINESS/PARTNERS (“Data Subjects”), including interested clients and interested stakeholders. 1. 5. Not all of the sections in the notice will be relevant to everyone. The notice is intended to provide details of all the processing activities that we undertake and therefore the mere listing of an activity does not mean that we are processing your personal information in this manner and for these purposes. 1. 5. Changes to this Privacy Policy We reserve the right to update this privacy notice at any time, and we will provide you with a notice when we make any substantial updates. We will post the updated version on our website and provide the date of the latest version, which... - Published: 2021-07-22 - Modified: 2021-09-14 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/cookie-policy/ Business Partners Limited Cookie Policy We value your privacy and use cookies to improve your experience. 1. Purpose of the policy The purpose of this policy is to describe the cookies we use on our website, what we use them for, and how you can manage them during your visit to our website. 2. What are cookies? Cookies are small text files stored on your device by the website you are visiting. The cookies assist the website to recall information about your device and usage of the website. We use this information to make your visit to our site efficient and pleasant. 3. When do we use cookies? We use cookies which identify the user of a device for lawful purposes only including where the law permits or requires it and if the user has consented to it. 4. Which cookies can be found on our website? We make use of the following types of cookies: i. Strictly necessary cookies which are necessary for the site to function, these cookies are always active and you cannot opt-out of these cookies. ii. Performance cookies allow us to analyse site usage to evaluate and improve its performance. iii. Functional cookies to provide a better user experience on the site, such as by assessing connections with specific content e. g. Business Tips to allow us to continue offering you more relevant content. iv. Marketing cookies which identify your unique browser or device. Our site does not store any of your direct personal information.... - Published: 2021-05-23 - Modified: 2021-05-23 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/access-to-information/ Business Partners Limited Access to Information The aim of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (No. 2 of 2000) is to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in both public and private bodies, and to promote a society in which the people of South Africa have effective access to information so as to enable them to fully exercise and protect all their rights (www. services. gov. za). 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Any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action upon the contents of such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. 3. The information contained in any message is confidential and may also be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the... - Published: 2021-01-25 - Modified: 2026-08-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/about-us-who-we-are/ Who We Are We’re one of the leading business loan providers for viable small to medium businesses in the world. We provide loan finance ranging from R250 000 to R50 million to all business owners who have a viable formal business and require finance for expansion, working capital, equipment, takeovers, property, franchises or management buy-outs. We have operations across South Africa. Why Do we call ourselves Business Partners Ltd? For the simple reason that we are invested in seeing business owners succeed. That’s why we have been the business financier of choice for many business owners for over four decades. Our name expresses our commitment to the relationship with the business owners we serve. Not only are we committed to providing loan finance solely for viable small to medium businesses, we also bind ourselves to support business owners with our knowledge and value-added services every step of the way. Because your success is our success. Isn’t that what you’d expect from a business financier? Business Owners Are Our Exclusive Focus Our core focus is you, the business owner. We have spent over four decades adjusting our products and services to boost the success of the business owners we support. We know that by investing in you, we’re also fuelling the growth of our economy and building a better future for all. If you’re serious about growing your company, connect with us. We Provide More Than Just Money Because we understand the experiences and challenges business owners face, we take more... - Published: 2020-12-15 - Modified: 2026-08-24 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/ EOY Winners 2025Entries for the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards are now closed. Winners to be announced on 22 October 2026. Read MoreEOY WinnerMeet the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year®Read MoreShort Term FinanceQuick finance for your short-term working capital needsGet Short-Term Finance from R250 000 - R750 000 and repay us over 18 months. Apply NowBasadi-Women Growth FundBasadi-Women Growth FundGet tailored finance from R250 000 to R5 million for your women-owned SMEs. Apply NowAsset FinanceFinance your business equipment with us. Get Asset Finance from R250 000 to R5 million to buy business equipment ranging from engineering to manufacturing equipment. Apply NowBEE RatingWe are a Level 1 BBBEE contributorRead MoreSME Youth JobsSME Youth Jobs FundLooking to expand your workforce? Get R250 000 to R2 million to fund labour-related costs including salaries and wages associated with newly created jobs. Apply Now Who We Are We are one of the leading loan providers for viable SMEs in the world. Since 1981, business owners have trusted us to unlock business value in over 73 000 business finance transactions. We’ve approved finance to the tune of R26 billion+ to established entrepreneurs. The Global SME Finance Awards named us the 2019 Gold winner in the SME Bank of the Year – Africa. More About UsWhat We Do 2. Property Finance We’re one of a handful of financiers who provide business owners with up to 100% in commercial property finance. Our property finance caters to established entrepreneurs with a viable business who want to refinance or... ## Posts - Published: 2026-10-21 - Modified: 2026-10-21 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-must-know-before-entering-strategic-partnerships-2/ - Categories: Business Tips For South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs), collaborations, distribution arrangements and supplier relationships are often much more than just “nice to have” growth tools. For a business with limited capital and smaller teams, the strength and viability of these strategic partnerships can ultimately be the key to success. However, entering such a partnership without due diligence processes can expose an SME to financial, operational and legal challenges that may be difficult to recover from. Business owners should therefore take the time to carefully evaluate the risks and opportunities involved, paying special attention to these three fundamental considerations: Are roles, responsibilities and terms clearly defined? Before entering any arrangement, SMEs should ensure there is a clear understanding of the respective roles, responsibilities and expectations of the parties involved in the partnership, joint venture or collaboration agreement. This includes defining deliverables, decision-making authority, performance standards and timelines, as well as clearly outlining termination provisions, notice periods and dispute resolution mechanisms. Even where there is a strong personal relationship between the parties, verbal understandings are insufficient. A written agreement that clearly outlines these responsibilities can help prevent misunderstandings, reduce disputes and provide a framework for accountability if challenges arise. What are the legal implications? The legal structure of an agreement can significantly affect a business' rights, obligations and exposure to risk. Whether the arrangement takes the form of a supplier agreement, distribution partnership, memorandum of understanding (MOU), strategic alliance or joint venture, business owners should ensure that all parties understand the legal... - Published: 2026-10-20 - Modified: 2026-10-20 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/survey-reveals-smes-have-clear-expectations-and-firm-voting-intentions-ahead-of-local-elections/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have entered the local government election period with clear expectations around the conditions needed to operate, invest and grow. Municipal service delivery, good governance and the effective management of illegal immigration have emerged as leading concerns influencing how SME owners intend to vote in the upcoming local government elections. This is according to the latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited, which reveals that 70. 4% of business owners surveyed have already decided which political party or candidate they intend to vote for. A further 17. 6% remain undecided, while 6. 6% said they do not intend to vote and 5. 3% preferred not to answer. “These latest survey findings are significant as they confirm that the vast majority of SMEs are highly engaged and intend to vote in the upcoming elections, with more than two-thirds having already made up their minds on their preferred candidate,” says Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited. “This means political parties have relatively little room to shift SME sentiment, with only 17. 6% of business owners still undecided and potentially open to changing their vote. ” Enforcement and fair competition under scrutiny When asked to rank eight factors according to their influence on voting decisions, respondents placed safer towns and cities, support for SMEs, investment and job creation, and reliable water supply among the more influential considerations. The effective management of illegal immigration also featured prominently as a consideration, alongside road infrastructure, electricity supply,... - Published: 2026-10-13 - Modified: 2026-10-13 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-smes-fail-lessons-from-the-experts/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases A widely cited piece of research by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) estimates that between 70% and 80% of small businesses in South Africa fail within their first five years. But perhaps more tellingly, the same research found that approximately 40% of the success of small businesses depends on one factor: the entrepreneur who owns the business. This is something that Sudir Sahadeo, Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited, says he sees every day when working with small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “I cannot overstate the importance of an owner's full-time involvement in the business," he says. Time and time again, we find that when the entrepreneur is only involved part-time or is not fully focused on the business, the likelihood of failure increases significantly. ” Sahadeo’s comments highlight an important reality often overlooked in discussions about business failure. While external economic pressures certainly play a role, the difference between success and failure can also come down to whether business owners remain actively involved in understanding and managing every aspect of their operations. This, he says, is particularly important during the first few years of a business's life. “The first three years are typically the most vulnerable for any company. During this time, the business is still trying to find its feet and gain traction, whether that's securing customers, building supplier relationships or convincing banks and other lenders to provide funding. ” During this vulnerable period, Sahadeo highlights several warning signs that may indicate a business is... - Published: 2026-10-13 - Modified: 2026-10-13 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-smart-businesses-are-prioritising-customer-retention-over-customer-acquisition/ - Categories: Business Tips When initially getting a business off the ground, growth is often measured by the ability to attract and win new customers. New sales bring in revenue, create momentum and provide tangible proof that things are moving in the right direction. It is therefore understandable that many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have historically dedicated a significant amount of their time, energy and resources to new business and customer acquisition. As a business matures, however, this mindset needs to shift. While attracting new business will always be important, retaining your existing customer base that you have already worked hard to win becomes an invaluable driver of sustainable growth – especially in today’s commercial environment. The reason is simple. Acquiring new customers is typically more expensive than retaining existing ones. Across both traditional and digital channels, marketing costs are continuing to rise, while consumers have more choices than ever before, and are increasingly willing to switch brands in search of better value or experiences. New customers also generally require significant onboarding effort and investment before they begin generating meaningful value for the business. Existing customers, on the other hand, are already familiar with the business's products or services and have demonstrated a willingness to spend money with the brand. The relationship has already been established and the challenge is therefore no longer convincing them to convert, but rather ensuring they continue to see value in returning. This is particularly important for SMEs, where a relatively small group of loyal customers can account... - Published: 2026-10-13 - Modified: 2026-10-13 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-must-know-before-entering-strategic-partnerships/ - Categories: Business Tips For South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs), collaborations, distribution arrangements and supplier relationships are often much more than just “nice to have” growth tools. For a business with limited capital and smaller teams, the strength and viability of these strategic partnerships can ultimately be the key to success. However, entering such a partnership without due diligence processes can expose an SME to financial, operational and legal challenges that may be difficult to recover from. Business owners should therefore take the time to carefully evaluate the risks and opportunities involved, paying special attention to these three fundamental considerations: Are roles, responsibilities and terms clearly defined? Before entering any arrangement, SMEs should ensure there is a clear understanding of the respective roles, responsibilities and expectations of the parties involved in the partnership, joint venture or collaboration agreement. This includes defining deliverables, decision-making authority, performance standards and timelines, as well as clearly outlining termination provisions, notice periods and dispute resolution mechanisms. Even where there is a strong personal relationship between the parties, verbal understandings are insufficient. A written agreement that clearly outlines these responsibilities can help prevent misunderstandings, reduce disputes and provide a framework for accountability if challenges arise. What are the legal implications? The legal structure of an agreement can significantly affect a business' rights, obligations and exposure to risk. Whether the arrangement takes the form of a supplier agreement, distribution partnership, memorandum of understanding (MOU), strategic alliance or joint venture, business owners should ensure that all parties understand the legal... - Published: 2026-09-30 - Modified: 2026-10-06 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/skills-transfer-critical-to-protect-smes-as-experienced-staff-retire/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases A recent survey titled The Great Retirement revealed that 51% of the global workforce is expected to retire or leave within five years. For South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already struggling with skills shortages, this could add additional pressure on business continuity, productivity and growth. With more than , the loss of experienced employees doesn’t just create vacancies; it deepens an existing structural constraint. “For SMEs in particular, the departure of long-serving employees can mean the loss of critical knowledge, operational insight and client relationships that are difficult – if not impossible – to replace overnight,” says Amogelang Montane, Human Resources Business Partner at Business Partners Limited. “As a result, these businesses risk significant disruptions to long-term growth. ” According to Montane, succession planning plays a critical role in mitigating this risk. “Rather than being treated as a once-off exercise triggered by retirement, it should form part of an ongoing, embedded process. Planning ahead allows businesses to identify critical roles, prepare successors and ensure a smoother transition when employees eventually exit. ” Beyond formal succession planning, incorporating knowledge sharing into everyday business practices is essential. “Too often, knowledge transfer only takes place reactively, when an employee has already resigned or announced their retirement. A more sustainable approach is to create a culture where information and expertise are continuously shared across teams. ” Practical interventions such as mentorship programmes, job shadowing and cross-training can play a helpful role in transferring critical skills. These approaches enable less experienced employees to... - Published: 2026-09-28 - Modified: 2026-09-28 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/r14-to-r1-million-the-woman-cleaning-up-the-industry/ - Categories: Client Stories When Fatima Davids arrived in Cape Town in 2017, she had just R14 in her pocket. What she lacked in resources, she made up for with determination, resilience and an unwavering belief that she could build a better future. The move followed a difficult chapter in her life. After a divorce, Fatima was looking for a fresh start while growing a small online business supplying cleaning chemicals. Although she spent her entire life in Johannesburg, most of her customers were based in Cape Town. When a fellow church member offered her a place to stay, she took a leap of faith and relocated. Starting over was far from easy. With little money and no transport, Fatima walked from one government department and corporate office to another, introducing her cleaning and office-supply services in person. She believed her greatest strength was her ability to build trust face to face. “My business advisor once told me I have a face you can’t say no to,” she says. That ability to connect with people became the foundation of her entrepreneurial journey. Determined to succeed, she persuaded a local builder to drive her to meetings in exchange for helping with administration. When she secured her first stationery supply contract, she relied on suppliers and contacts within her network for assistance to help finance the order so she could deliver successfully and build credibility with her new client. Her networking skills continued to open doors. A local business owner offered her a corner of a... - Published: 2026-09-28 - Modified: 2026-09-28 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/determined-entrepreneur-turns-disaster-into-business-success/ - Categories: Client Stories For four years, Fefe Ntsoelengoe fought to keep her nail-care business alive after the franchise she bought into collapsed in a highly publicised scandal. Today, she not only runs a successful independent brand but has also successfully expanded with a second outlet. “There were so many times I thought about giving up,” says Fefe, owner of Glow-Up Nails, which now operates from Roodepoort and Douglasdale in Johannesburg. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2021 when she opened a Tammy Taylor Nails franchise at Retail Crossing in Roodepoort. Just three months later, the franchise became embroiled in controversy amid allegations that local operators had been running the international brand without permission, leaving franchisees facing an uncertain future. The crisis came at a time when Fefe was already dealing with personal turmoil. Having recently graduated as an interior designer, she lost her mother during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her father had passed away years earlier, leaving her responsible for caring for her younger sister and overseeing several family businesses, including a guest house, a catering and equipment-hire company, and a construction business. Having witnessed the challenges of entrepreneurship through her mother's businesses, Fefe had never planned to become an entrepreneur herself. “I went into survival mode,” she says. Although she found work as an interior designer, her salary was not enough to support her family responsibilities. Faced with difficult decisions she eventually closed her mother's businesses and invested in a nail-care venture. The move was not entirely unfamiliar territory. While studying, Fefe had taught... - Published: 2026-09-28 - Modified: 2026-09-28 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/5-ways-to-build-a-more-resilient-and-successful-business/ - Categories: Business Tips There is no single definition of business success. For some entrepreneurs, it means expanding into new markets, while for others it may be achieving financial independence, creating jobs, or building a business that can stand the test of time. According to Lindiwe Matyeka, senior investment officer at Business Partners Limited, resilient businesses share several key characteristics. They have a clear sense of direction, understand their finances, manage risk effectively, remain adaptable, and are not overly reliant on the entrepreneur behind them. Here are five key principles that entrepreneurs should consider when building a resilient and successful business. Define what success means for your business Growth is often viewed as the ultimate measure of success, but growth alone does not indicate a healthy or sustainable business. Increased turnover can sometimes be accompanied by shrinking margins, rising debt, or cash flow pressures. Entrepreneurs should clearly define what success means for their business and align every strategic decision with that vision. Whether considering expansion, hiring, or seeking funding, every decision should support the long-term vision. Understanding key financial indicators such as revenue, expenses, profitability, and cash flow is essential for making informed and effective decisions. "You don’t have to be an accountant to manage a business’s finances, but you do need to understand the story your numbers are telling you. ” says Lindiwe. Build a network that challenges you Successful businesses are rarely built in isolation. Entrepreneurs benefit from mentors, accountants, industry specialists, financiers, and fellow business owners who can provide guidance and... - Published: 2026-09-25 - Modified: 2026-09-25 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/beyond-local-is-lekker-why-sa-smes-need-to-demonstrate-tangible-community-impact-this-heritage-month/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases While local identity may open the door, lasting customer loyalty is increasingly driven by the positive impact businesses have on the communities they serve. For decades, South Africans have embraced the idea that “local is lekker”. This sentiment has been reinforced through various initiatives over the years, such as the Proudly South African campaign launched in 2001 and government's 2011 Local Procurement Accord, which have successfully sought to increase the level of goods and services bought from local producers. Today, however, local identity alone is no longer enough to win customer loyalty. Consumers, particularly younger generations, are actively rewarding businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to the communities they serve. They are looking beyond products and services and paying closer attention to a company’s social impact, values and commitment to positive change. Research suggests that 86% of Gen Z South Africans say they are more likely to support brands that contribute to social or community causes. “Consumers are increasingly drawn to businesses that create visible value beyond the products and services they offer,” says Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager of Marketing and Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited. “Being a local business may attract customers initially, but long-term loyalty is increasingly built through authentic and consistent engagement with the communities those businesses serve. ” According to Mjadu, this presents a significant opportunity for South Africa's small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Unlike larger corporations, SMEs are often deeply embedded within the communities in which they operate. They employ local people, support... - Published: 2026-09-09 - Modified: 2026-09-09 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/dont-wait-for-december-a-hospitality-smes-guide-to-festive-season-readiness/ - Categories: Business Tips For many hospitality businesses, the festive season can bring about significant customer activity, making Tourism Month the ideal time to prepare. Restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, tour operators, and other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality sector often experience a surge in demand between November and January as both local and international travellers take advantage of the holiday period. While increased foot traffic and bookings present a valuable opportunity to boost revenue, they can also place significant pressure on cash flow, staffing, inventory, service delivery and operational capacity. Businesses that fail to8 properly prepare risk compromising the very customer experience that drives repeat business and referrals. The reality is that festive season success is often determined months before the first holidaymakers arrive. For SMEs, early planning can make the difference between capitalising on peak-season demand and becoming overwhelmed by it. Preparation allows hospitality SMEs to position themselves for growth while avoiding many of the operational and financial challenges that arise during peak trading periods. One of the first areas business owners should focus on is demand forecasting. Understanding historical booking patterns, occupancy rates, sales data and seasonal trends can help businesses estimate demand more accurately and identify where additional resources may be required. While no forecast will be perfect, businesses that use available data to guide planning are generally better equipped to manage fluctuations in customer demand. Financial preparedness is also important. Busy periods may require upfront spending on stock, equipment, marketing and staffing long before revenue is realised. This... - Published: 2026-09-09 - Modified: 2026-10-20 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/tourism-month-hospitality-smes-urged-to-capitalise-on-new-domestic-travel-growth-opportunities/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases September marks Tourism Month and provides an opportunity to recognise the increasingly important role domestic tourism is playing in driving growth for hospitality and tourism SMEs. As South Africans continue to explore destinations closer to home, new opportunities for businesses that can anticipate and meet the changing expectations of local travellers[1]. While international arrivals remain an important contributor to the sector, domestic travellers are increasingly travelling more frequently, seeking unique experiences, personalised service, and value-driven getaways closer to home. This shift is creating opportunities for SMEs to differentiate themselves through unique offerings, exceptional customer experiences and strong local connections. Insights from SME South Africa's review of tourism trends suggest that the sector is entering a new phase of recovery, with increasing emphasis on resilience, collaboration, customer experience, and differentiated offerings. Capturing the customer evolution According to Kevan Govender, Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited, hospitality businesses that understand and respond to the evolving preferences of locals are well-positioned to benefit from the growing opportunities in the sector. This includes guesthouses, boutique hotels, tour operators, restaurants, activity providers, and other tourism-focused SMEs. "The profile of the domestic traveller has evolved considerably over the past few years. South Africans are increasingly looking for authentic, experience-led travel that offers something distinctive, whether that's wellness retreats, culinary experiences, adventure tourism, cultural immersion, or family-focused getaways," says Govender. This trend presents significant opportunities for smaller hospitality businesses, particularly SMEs, whose agility and deep local connections enable them to curate personalised experiences that resonate with... - Published: 2026-09-01 - Modified: 2026-09-01 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-operational-simplicity-is-a-competitive-advantage-for-smes/ - Categories: Business Tips Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assume that growth means adding more products, more systems and more technology. While expansion is an important part of building a successful business, every additional layer of complexity can also introduce higher costs, slower decision-making and greater operational risk. Sustainable growth is not simply about doing more; it is about ensuring a business remains efficient, responsive and easy to manage as it evolves. Complexity often comes at a cost As businesses grow, it is not uncommon for systems, processes and decision-making structures to become layered and difficult to manage. Over time, these inefficiencies can quietly erode profitability, slow down service delivery and create frustration for both employees and customers. For SMEs operating in a highly competitive environment, this can have a direct impact on growth and long-term sustainability. One of the biggest yet most overlooked costs is the time these inefficiencies consume. Business owners and employees can spend countless hours navigating unnecessary administrative processes, duplicating work across different systems or resolving avoidable operational bottlenecks. Time that could be spent serving customers, developing new opportunities or improving products is instead absorbed by activities that add little strategic value. Operational inefficiencies can also slow decision-making. As a result, businesses often find it harder to respond quickly and confidently when opportunities or challenges arise. The ability to respond quickly to customer needs, market shifts or operational challenges allows SMEs to compete effectively against larger organisations. However, as processes become more cumbersome and layers of approval increase, businesses... - Published: 2026-08-27 - Modified: 2026-08-27 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/dont-let-these-operational-mistakes-spoil-your-festive-season/ - Categories: Business Tips September is Tourism Month in South Africa and the country's tourism sector is also heading into the 2026 festive season with significant momentum, driven by growing traveller demand, increasing visitor numbers and renewed opportunities for tourism businesses. International arrivals rose by 12. 3% during the first six months of the year, airlines are adding additional capacity for the summer travel period, and retail sales continue to show signs of recovery. For many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this is welcome news. Whether you operate in retail, hospitality, food services, tourism, events, manufacturing or distribution, the final quarter of the year often represents one of the busiest and most profitable trading periods on the calendar. However, stronger demand can create its own set of challenges, especially for businesses who do not give adequate attention to the operational planning required to support growth. In practice, peak season success often comes down to two fundamentals: having the right stock available at the right time and ensuring there are enough people in place to deliver a consistently good customer experience. As businesses prepare for the final stretch of 2026, here are four common inventory and staffing mistakes to avoid: Ordering stock too late One of the biggest risks heading into the festive season is assuming your suppliers will always be able to deliver at short notice. Just as demand increases for your business, suppliers often experience higher order volumes, longer lead times and stock shortages of their own. Transport networks can also become congested... - Published: 2026-08-27 - Modified: 2026-08-27 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/top-sectors-creating-new-opportunities-for-sas-women-entrepreneurs/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases For many South African women entrepreneurs, building a successful business requires navigating significant obstacles, such as limited access to finance, economic uncertainty and barriers to market access. Despite this, René Botha, Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited, says women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are finding new opportunities across a diverse range of sectors. “There is no one sector that guarantees success, and there is no single industry that women entrepreneurs should be targeting. What we are seeing is that opportunities are emerging across a range of sectors, particularly where business owners can identify a market need, remain adaptable and build solutions that genuinely add value to customers. ” Many of these opportunities are driven by evolving consumer needs, growing digital adoption, and demand for specialised products and services. Businesses that adapt quickly to these shifts are often well positioned to grow, regardless of the sector in which they operate. ” Historically, women-owned businesses have been strongly represented in sectors such as retail, hospitality, education and personal services. While those industries remain important, Botha says women entrepreneurs are increasingly finding growth opportunities in professional services, value-added manufacturing, e-commerce businesses, and health and wellness. These sectors continue to benefit from changing consumer behaviour, increased demand for specialised expertise and greater access to digital sales channels. “We are also seeing growing interest from entrepreneurs operating in niche and specialised markets where expertise, innovation and customer experience can provide a competitive advantage. These businesses are often able to identify underserved market segments... - Published: 2026-08-17 - Modified: 2026-08-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-cut-costs-without-compromising-staff-or-customers/ - Categories: Business Tips Managing costs has shifted from being a competitive advantage to a business imperative for South African businesses. Between the ongoing fuel price volatility, rising electricity tariffs, and constrained consumer spending, business owners are having to scrutinise every rand they spend. Unfortunately, smaller businesses are particularly vulnerable to these pressures. With fewer resources, tighter margins, and less room to absorb unexpected cost increases, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are being forced to make difficult decisions about where to cut back. While the instinctive response may be to reconsider staffing levels or the services you can still afford to offer, the reality is that these measures can create a whole host of new problems. Staff culture suffers, customer satisfaction declines, and businesses may ultimately find themselves losing the very capabilities that helped them succeed in the first place. This is why three of the most effective cost management strategies are not traditional "cost-cutting" measures at all. They are efficiency measures that remove waste while protecting service levels, employee morale and customer relationships. Fix operational inefficiencies Inefficient processes can place a significant strain on SME budgets. It is not uncommon for businesses to have duplicated tasks, unnecessary approval processes, outdated workflows or communication bottlenecks that quietly increase operating costs and drain productivity. Over time, these inefficiencies consume valuable resources without adding any meaningful value to the business or its customers. Start by mapping out the key operational processes. Where are the delays occurring? Which tasks are being duplicated? Are there administrative requirements... - Published: 2026-08-07 - Modified: 2026-08-07 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/steady-growth-over-rapid-expansion-why-long-term-success-always-wins/ - Categories: Business Tips According to Xero’s 2026 State of South African Small Business report, 84% of local small businesses say they are prioritising steady growth and stability over aggressive expansion this year, despite 80% reporting revenue growth and 75% increasing profits. This shift reflects an important reality for South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). While growth remains essential for long-term success, expansion that outpaces a business's financial resources, operational capacity or leadership capability can create significant risks. In some cases, pursuing growth too aggressively can leave business owners feeling overwhelmed, financially exposed and struggling to maintain control of the very business they have worked so hard to build. The dangers of growing too fast are often less visible than the dangers of not growing at all. Increased sales may create pressure to hire staff before systems are in place to manage them effectively. Larger contracts can strain cash flow if customer payments lag expenses. Expanding into new markets may require investment in stock, equipment or premises long before the return on that investment materialises. Research into rapidly scaling businesses has highlighted another challenge: burnout. A study examining high-growth companies found that employees in businesses undergoing intensive scaling were more likely to experience burnout and lower job satisfaction, driven by heavier workloads, constant organisational change and the pressure that comes with rapid expansion. While much of this research focuses on employees, SME owners often carry an even greater burden. In many small businesses, the founder is responsible for sales, operations, finance, customer relationships... - Published: 2026-08-05 - Modified: 2026-08-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-partners-limited-launches-r150-million-sme-youth-jobs-fund-set-to-create-youth-employment/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases In response to South Africa's deepening youth unemployment crisis and the financial constraints that often prevent small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from expanding their workforce, Business Partners Limited has established a R150 million SME Youth Jobs Fund. The Fund aims to enable established SMEs to create new employment opportunities for young South Africans while supporting business growth and driving inclusive economic development. The launch comes as youth unemployment remains one of the country's most pressing socio-economic challenges. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, approximately 4,8 million young South Africans are unemployed, while four in ten are not in employment, education or training. SMEs remain a critical engine of economic growth and employment creation in South Africa. However, many businesses face significant cost pressures when expanding their workforce. The SME Youth Jobs Fund has been designed to help bridge this gap by reducing the financial burden associated with creating new jobs. According to Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited, the Fund has been designed to provide SMEs with access to finance specifically for labour-related costs associated with employing new staff members between the ages of 18 and 35. The Fund is expected to support approximately 220 SMEs and facilitate the creation of nearly 1,000 new jobs. “South Africa's youth unemployment challenge requires practical, scalable solutions that create real opportunities for young people to enter the workforce,” says Lang, who believes SMEs are uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in addressing this challenge. “As one of the... - Published: 2026-07-29 - Modified: 2026-07-29 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/funding-mistakes-smes-make-when-under-financial-pressure/ - Categories: Business Tips The latest Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index found that 9 in 10 South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have experienced operational pressure from recent fuel price increases, underscoring the short-term financial pressures facing the sector. More broadly, the survey points to a growing number of businesses shifting their focus from expansion to short-term survival. For business owners, this response is understandable. When costs rise unexpectedly, cash flow tightens, or sales come under pressure, the immediate priority is often to stabilise the business as quickly as possible. While securing short-term finance is often critical and can provide much-needed relief, the urgency to resolve short-term financial challenges can sometimes lead SMEs to make funding decisions that inadvertently create bigger problems down the line. While every business’s situation is different, there are three common funding mistakes SMEs should avoid: Using the wrong type of funding for the problem Taking on longer-term debt to address a temporary cash flow gap may leave the business carrying unnecessary costs for years. Before seeking finance, business owners should clearly identify whether the challenge relates to working capital, equipment, expansion, or a temporary cash flow shortfall. Funding should support the specific need instead of simply providing access to additional cash. The right funding structure can strengthen a business. The wrong one can place further pressure on already strained finances. Taking on debt before addressing underlying operational issues Funding can provide breathing room, but it cannot fix an unsustainable business model. When financial pressure emerges, many SMEs... - Published: 2026-07-29 - Modified: 2026-07-29 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-digital-resilience-has-become-a-business-imperative-for-smes/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases In June, Meta experienced a global outage that disrupted Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp services for users worldwide, leaving many businesses temporarily unable to connect with customers through some of their most important digital channels. While the disruption was temporary, it highlighted the risks associated with relying too heavily on a single digital platform – especially if that platform is owned by a third party. Faiez Hartley, Head of Information Technology at Business Partners Limited, says these risks are particularly concerning for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that use social media as their primary sales, marketing and customer engagement channels. “The Meta outage highlighted how deeply embedded digital platforms have become in day-to-day business operations,” says Hartley. For many SMEs, social media ad messaging services are no longer just marketing tools, they are critical channels for sales and customer service. When these platforms go offline, business can find themselves cut off from customers with little warning, disrupting operations. ” Hartley notes that while digital platforms offer businesses significant reach and convenience, relying too heavily on a single provider can create vulnerabilities. “Over-reliance on a single platform can expose businesses to unnecessary operational and financial risk. Even brief digital disruptions can result in lost revenue, reduced productivity, missed customer opportunities, and damage to brand reputation,” he says. The incident points to a broader shift in how South African SMEs need to think about risk. As businesses become more digitally enabled, their exposure to disruption is no longer limited to physical events such... - Published: 2026-07-14 - Modified: 2026-07-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/five-practical-tips-to-put-your-customers-at-the-heart-of-your-next-tech-upgrade/ - Categories: Business Tips Modern technology promises faster operations, lower costs, and greater efficiency. But for many businesses, the disruption it brings can be harder to manage than expected, says Dwain Dodd, area manager at Business Partners Limited. Just when systems start running smoothly, another wave of technology arrives, demanding change. Even when your product or service stays the same, your customers do not. Their expectations evolve constantly. Today, for instance, many expect businesses to be available on platforms like WhatsApp, whether owners are comfortable with it or not. So, the real question is not whether to adopt modern technology, it’s how to embrace it in a way that genuinely adds value to your business. According to Dwain, the answer is simple: start with the customer. Every tech decision should enhance how customers experience and engage with your business. If it does not, it is not adding real value. However, this is where many businesses miss the mark. In the pursuit of efficiency and cost savings, technology is often implemented in ways that frustrates rather than serves. Think of automated “customer care” lines that leave customers feeling unheard. When technology prioritises convenience for the business over customer experience, its benefits quickly fade. This matters because retaining customers is far more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Businesses that get customer experience right typically tend to build stronger loyalty, spend less on marketing, and have a reduced risk of losing market share. That said, putting customers at the centre of tech decisions isn’t always straightforward. Technology... - Published: 2026-07-10 - Modified: 2026-07-10 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/garden-route-entrepreneur-pivots-and-turns-empty-parking-bays-into-a-goldmine/ - Categories: Client Stories One of the tests of true entrepreneurship is the ability to change direction fast when circumstances change or when projections don’t materialise. Calvin Els, a life-long entrepreneur from George in the Western Cape, was recently put through a gruelling version of exactly that test and passed with flying colours. After running several businesses in Johannesburg, Calvin had settled in George, where he partnered with his sister and acquired a small storage and warehousing business, CAW Storage. They quickly grew the operation into full capacity, positioning it for strong prospects. All the signs suggested that his next venture would be a run-away success. Calvin knew that there would be no shortage of clients if he were to simply add more storage space to their collection of 36 units and five warehouses. There were times when he had to turn away five or six clients a day because they were full. “If a unit became available, I could have it filled by that same evening,” says Calvin. The problem was that building costs in George, a booming coastal town, was so expensive that it would risk pricing any new brick-and-mortar storage units out of the market. Instead, Calvin pursued an expansion plan that he was sure would be an immediate success. Ever since taking over the storage business in 2018, holiday makers would consistently ask him to store their boats and caravans. Unfortunately, he had to turn them away as the entrances to his existing storage units were not designed to accommodate... - Published: 2026-07-10 - Modified: 2026-07-10 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/family-ties-give-packaging-business-new-lease-on-life/ - Categories: Client Stories Reshma and Vinesh Yakub embody the idea that family-run businesses possess a resilience that allows them to grow and endure across generations, regardless of their size. About a year ago, the husband-and-wife team from Pietermaritzburg faced a life-changing decision. Reshma’s cousin, Ashika Singh, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, meaning her husband, Shushen, would soon be left to run the small packaging and marketing business they had built together over 20 years. During this difficult period, Ashika made a heartfelt request to Vinesh, to support Shushen and help sustain the business in her absence. Although Vinesh had started a new job just two months earlier, several factors made the decision to resign and join Micor Marketing in Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg’s industrial hub much easier. For one, both Vinesh and Reshma brought years of extensive experience in the packaging industry to the table. In fact, they met while working at another packaging company owned by one of Reshma’s cousins. Vinesh had also built valuable industry expertise during his time at major companies such as Nampak and DHL Supply Chain who were contracted to Unilever. There was also a mutual understanding that Vinesh and Reshma would have the first option to acquire Micor Marketing should Shushen ever decide to sell. Above all, however, they were family - a foundation of trust that allowed them to make significant decisions quickly and with confidence. Sadly, Ashika passed away shortly after her diagnosis. Within a year, Shushen decided to sell the business and relocate to Johannesburg... - Published: 2026-07-10 - Modified: 2026-07-21 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-every-business-owner-should-know-about-omnichannel-marketing/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases There was a time, not so long ago, when an email address and a website were all a business needed to establish its presence online. Today, however, the fast-evolving digital landscape has segmented into countless communities, ecosystems, platforms and channels, says Comien Grobler, marketing specialist at Business Partners Limited. Rather than enhancing visibility, this growing complexity can make it easier for business owners and customers to lose sight of each other in the thicket. It’s no surprise then that the concept of omnichannel marketing has gained increasing attention as it encapsulates the best approach a business can take to find, serve and retain customers in a highly fragmented digital world. An omnichannel marketing approach grapples with the modern reality that customers find businesses in many different ways, ranging from walking past a storefront, to searching on Facebook or Google, clicking a link in a social media post, or simply spotting your signage on a company vehicle. A single customer is likely to interact with your business across multiple channels. They may start with a visit to your website, then follow up with a WhatsApp message, an email, a phone call and eventually an in-person visit to your shop. The main principle behind omnichannel marketing is for your business to maintain consistency of messaging across all these different channels, so customers feel confident knowing that they are dealing with the same, reliable company. Consistency refers not only to the same offers and pricing across all your marketing channels, but also includes... - Published: 2026-07-08 - Modified: 2026-07-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sa-smes-need-relief-from-rising-compliance-costs/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases A March 2026 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed South Africa’s business environment under the spotlight, warning that regulatory complexity and administrative inefficiencies are constraining business growth and limiting job creation. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), these challenges are particularly acute, with rising compliance demands placing sustained pressure on already stretched resources and operations. Kevan Govender, Regional Investment Officer at Business Partners Limited, says that while the IMF’s findings are concerning, they are not surprising. “While regulation plays a critical role in maintaining standards, ensuring transparency and promoting fair market practices, the increasing layers of compliance – ranging from licensing requirements and tax obligations, to sector-specific regulations and reporting standards – place a disproportionate burden on local SMEs, limiting their growth and productivity. ” This increasing complexity carries a direct financial cost. Beyond the obvious expenses associated with professional services such as legal, tax and accounting support, SMEs are also absorbing indirect costs linked to time, administrative capacity and operational disruption. For many, these costs are placing further strain on already narrow profit margins. “As compliance costs rise, SMEs are forced to make difficult trade-offs,” Govender explains. “Funds that could otherwise be directed towards business expansion, investing in new technologies or hiring additional staff are instead being channelled into meeting regulatory requirements. Over time, this can have a compounding effect on business survival. ” In addition to financial strain, Govender notes that compliance processes and obligations drain valuable time and energy from SMEs. “Time is one... - Published: 2026-07-08 - Modified: 2026-07-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/surging-fuel-costs-force-sa-smes-into-survival-mode-as-confidence-cracks/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) entered 2026 on a more cautious footing as rising fuel prices, driven by global geopolitical tensions, continue to place increasing pressure on business operations. This was reflected in declining confidence levels, with SME confidence in the South African economy being conducive to business growth falling by 6 percentage points to 63%, while confidence in their own business growth declined by 4 percentage points to 77%. This is according to the latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited, which shows a broad decline in confidence across most indicators compared to both the previous quarter and the same period last year. These findings suggest a clear shift among SMEs away from growth and expansion towards short-term survival, cost management and operational resilience. Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited, says the findings reflect a business community navigating significant external pressures. “Rising fuel costs and global uncertainty are undoubtedly constraining growth ambitions, but local SMEs remain focused on building the resilience needed to sustain their businesses and position themselves for future opportunities. ” He notes, however, that these latest findings highlight the extent to which South African SMEs remain exposed to global economic shocks. “This year, we’ve seen international geopolitical developments increasingly shaping the cost structures, profitability and day-to-day operational realities of small businesses across the country. ” When asked whether recent fuel price increases had impacted their business operations, more than 90% of SMEs reported some level of operational pressure. “Fuel costs influence... - Published: 2026-07-08 - Modified: 2026-07-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-smes-can-use-data-tools-to-understand-their-customers/ - Categories: Business Tips In a market where margins are thin and competition is intense, data-led customer insight is no longer a “nice to have” for South African small and medium businesses (SMEs). Research consistently shows that using structured data tools can improve customer retention, refine product offerings, and help businesses make more informed decisions. Yet, while there is a growing ecosystem of accessible data tools – many of which are free or have low-cost entry points – business owners often don’t know where to start. To help get started, here are five categories of data tools SMEs can realistically adopt to understand customers better and use those insights to drive growth. Customer relationship management (CRM) systems Most SMEs already collect customer data in some way, but it’s often scattered across spreadsheets, inboxes and WhatsApp threads. A CRM system solves this by centralising all customer information into a single, structured platform. An effective CRM empowers you to track contact details, purchase history and previous interactions, giving you a clearer picture of customer behaviour and preferences. Well-known tools like HubSpot, Zoho CRM or Salesforce offer scalable options, while locally developed platforms such as 1Stream are increasingly tailored to South African realities, including integration with accounting systems and WhatsApp. Website and customer behaviour analytics If your business has any form of online footprint, website analytics tools are one of the simplest ways to start understanding customer behaviour. Platforms like Google Analytics or Mixpanel track how users interact with your website – which pages they visit, how... - Published: 2026-07-08 - Modified: 2026-08-03 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/smes-turning-difficult-conversations-into-better-performance/ - Categories: Business Tips In small and medium enterprises (SMEs), performance management is often not formalised. Many small businesses operate without dedicated human resources (HR) capacity and therefore, feedback can be inconsistent, informal, or even postponed until problems begin to affect the business. While this may seem manageable in a small team, avoiding difficult conversations or waiting too long to have them can negatively impact productivity, morale, and long-term sustainability. In big corporates, underperformance can be more easily absorbed or managed through established structures and processes. However, in small teams, the consequences are far more immediate. Missed deadlines, uneven workloads, and slipping standards are usually visible to everyone and can have a detrimental impact on the business and customers. To compensate, high performers are often forced to take on additional work, while businessowners step in to fill gaps instead of addressing their root causes. In small teams, professional boundaries are often blurred, people work closely together, and relationships are more personal. As a result, business owners may hesitate to raise performance concerns for fear of harming team morale. What they may not fully understand is that when underperformance is not addressed, it creates uncertainty and a gradual breakdown in accountability and culture. Managing performance effectively does not require complex HR systems. It does, however, require clarity, consistency, and a willingness to deal with issues as soon as possible. Below are tips to help small businesses do this well. Address issues early and with clarity One of the most common mistakes in SMEs is delaying... - Published: 2026-06-26 - Modified: 2026-06-28 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-future-calls-and-sas-entrepreneurs-are-answering/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases As South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising under the national theme RESET@50: The Future Calls, the country is being asked to shift the narrative from seeing young people as just part of the unemployment problem to recognising them as potential solutions providers and co-creators of today and the future. The call is to empower this generation by transferring leadership, not only stories, and to transform the future by advancing economic inclusion for all young people. It is a call landing in a country where the need is real. Youth unemployment stands at 45. 8%, according to Stats SA's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, and of the roughly 10. 3 million young people aged 15 to 24, 37. 6% are not in employment, education or training. Entrepreneurs are where that gap gets closed, with the National Development Plan placing the responsibility of creating 90% of all jobs in South Africa on Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by 2030. A new generation of founders is rising to that challenge, using digital tools, AI and alternative funding to build businesses that would have been out of reach a decade ago. In light of this, one of South Africa's most established entrepreneur recognition platforms is sharpening its focus on the founders driving that shift. The Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards, now in their 38th year, have spent nearly four decades finding, backing and amplifying the entrepreneurs building South Africa's economy from the ground up. The initiative has... - Published: 2026-06-25 - Modified: 2026-06-25 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/business-101-ai-for-smes/ - Categories: Business Tips While enthusiasm for AI across South Africa’s business landscape is running high, its ability to deliver meaningful returns is still up for debate. A recent South African AI Adoption Report by AI Strategy Africa found that GenAI adoption among large enterprises was up to 67% in 2025, yet only 13% of companies report achieving significant financial returns. It’s safe to say that AI is not a silver bullet, but every week seems to bring a new platform, tool or success story, often accompanied by warnings that businesses that fail to adopt AI will be left behind. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where budgets are tight and capacity is limited, separating genuine opportunity from hype can be especially difficult. The key is understanding where AI can genuinely add value, where the potential returns outweigh the risks, and where human expertise remains irreplaceable. When AI helps For many SMEs, AI delivers the most value when it takes on repetitive, time-consuming tasks that drain limited resources. Practical examples of this could include: Administrative work: Tasks such as drafting emails, summarising meetings, preparing reports, managing schedules and handling routine customer queries can be streamlined with AI tools, freeing up time for higher-value activities like sales, strategy and relationship-building. Marketing: Without dedicated teams, small businesses often struggle to produce consistent content, conduct research or manage multiple channels. AI can support idea generation, content drafting and performance analysis, reducing the effort required to execute campaigns. Data analysis: While many SMEs collect decent volumes of data... - Published: 2026-06-17 - Modified: 2026-06-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/these-are-the-young-entrepreneurs-tackling-south-africas-employment-crisis-head-on/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases As South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis persists, young entrepreneurs are stepping in to create the opportunities they can’t find, building businesses that not only sustain themselves, but also generate jobs and skills within their communities. With more than four in 10 young South Africans currently unable to find work, the urgency to create new pathways into economic participation has never been greater. While the challenge is well known, less attention is often paid to the young entrepreneurs who are actively working to change this reality and many of their businesses go unfinanced. This is according to Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager of Marketing and Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, who is shining a spotlight on three young entrepreneurs whose businesses are not only sustaining livelihoods, but also driving meaningful change in their communities. “Youth-led SMEs are playing a critical role in addressing unemployment by creating jobs, building skills and unlocking new opportunities within communities. By supporting young entrepreneurs, we are not only investing in individual businesses, but in the broader economic future of the country,” says Mjadu. Turning purpose into empowerment For Fefe Ntsoelengoe (32), founder of Glow Up Nails, entrepreneurship was born out of personal loss but has evolved into a business that empowers others. “I come from a strong entrepreneurial background – my mother was a single parent who built a business after my father passed away,” she explains. “During lockdown, I started doing nails at home, practicing on myself and my mom. We discussed starting a... - Published: 2026-06-15 - Modified: 2026-06-15 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/q4-2025-report-shows-stability-in-power-supply-boosts-smes-while-seasonal-trade-offers-little-financial-reprieve/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Nearly half (46,5%) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed in the latest SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited indicated that seasonal trading had no significant impact on their business performance, with a further 8,1% reporting a negative impact. Against the backdrop of Stats SA reporting that retail sales reached R117,9 billion in November 2025 – a 3,6% increase compared to the previous year – feedback from SMEs indicates that the benefits of seasonal trading are not evenly distributed across all sectors. “While seasonal trading periods such as Black Friday and the festive season provide a boost for some South African small businesses, their impact is more modest and uneven than one might think,” says Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited. “The findings of our quarter four index suggest that seasonal demand alone is not a guaranteed driver of meaningful performance and financial gain for SMEs, particularly in the context of constrained consumer spending and rising operating costs. ” Energy stability emerges as a key driver of recovery In contrast to the mixed impact of seasonal demand, improved electricity reliability in 2025 delivered more consistent and meaningful relief for SMEs. When asked how reduced loadshedding affected their operations, nearly three-quarters (73,4%) of SMEs reported an improvement. “The significant reduction in load-shedding during 2025 enabled more predictable operating hours, reduced reliance on costly backup power, and supported improved productivity,” says Lang. “For many businesses, energy stability has shifted from a short-term crisis management concern to a foundation for... - Published: 2026-06-12 - Modified: 2026-06-15 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/access-to-capital-a-persistent-barrier-for-south-africas-young-entrepreneurs/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis continues to deepen as reflected in Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). The data shows that 258 000 South Africans under the age of 34 lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the growing pressure on the country’s labour market. This brings the total number of unemployed youth to 4,7 million, pushing the youth unemployment rate to a staggering 45,8%. The figures signal the scale and persistence of the challenge, with nearly half of the country’s young people of working age unable to access meaningful economic opportunities. Within this context, entrepreneurship is increasingly positioned as a viable path for young South Africans seeking income and independence, yet access to funding remains a significant barrier. This is according to Megan Dedekind, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, who notes that many young entrepreneurs are struggling to secure formal finance. “The main problem is not a lack of ideas or motivation,” she says. “Instead, most traditional finance systems still only focus on collateral, long trading histories, and credit records – things that most young business owners do not yet have. ” This disconnect between how youth-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operate and how funding decisions are made continues to constrain the growth of otherwise viable businesses. Without the right guidance towards funding readiness coupled with equitable access to appropriate capital, promising youth-led businesses are often unable to start, grow, invest in critical infrastructure and equipment. This ultimately limits their ability to... - Published: 2026-06-12 - Modified: 2026-06-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-women-and-youth-owned-businesses-need-targeted-support/ - Categories: Business Tips Women and youth now drive a growing share of South Africa’s small and medium enterprise (SME) funding demand, making up 36. 1% and 50. 6% of applicants respectively according to a 2025 FinFind South Africa MSME Access to Finance Report. Unfortunately, the report also indicates that targeted financing solutions for these two groupings declined during the same period. Between 2018 and 2025, female-targeted funding actually decreased by 33%, while youth-targeted finance dropped by 15. 4%. For many of these entrepreneurs, limited collateral remains a key obstacle when it comes to accessing mainstream business funding. Younger business owners are still early in their financial journeys, and most will not yet have accumulated the assets or credit history typically required by lenders. Similarly, women in South Africa are statistically less likely to have access to property or other collateral that can be used to secure traditional funding. These challenges are further compounded by limited trading history and financial documentation, particularly for the youth. Without established track records or formal financial statements, many businesses are perceived as high-risk, even when they are able to demonstrate viability and strong growth potential. Traditional funding models also remain largely standardised, relying on uniform criteria that do not reflect the diversity of today’s SME landscape. Heavy dependence on formal documentation, rigid repayment structures and a preference for established businesses overlook how many modern enterprises actually develop, particularly youth-led businesses, which often evolve from informal or part-time ventures into full-scale operations. As a result, viable businesses are excluded... - Published: 2026-06-04 - Modified: 2026-06-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-avoid-common-financial-mistakes-entrepreneurs-make-under-pressure/ - Categories: Business Tips Running a small business in South Africa has never been easy, but the ongoing inflationary pressure and economic uncertainty have taken pressure levels up a notch. Persistent fuel price increases, rising operational costs, energy-related expenses and constrained consumer spending are forcing many entrepreneurs to make difficult financial decisions simply to keep their businesses afloat. The problem is that pressure often leads to reactive decision-making. What feels like a short-term solution in the moment can create long-term financial damage that becomes difficult to recover from. In many cases, local businesses are not struggling because they are offering bad products or services, or due to a lack of innovation, but often because avoidable financial mistakes compound over time. Under financial strain, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate urgent decisions from smart decisions. Here are three of the most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make under pressure, and how to avoid them. Chasing revenue at the expense of profitability When the pressure is on, entrepreneurs tend to focus on bringing in sales. Aggressive discounts, accepting low-margin work or taking on unprofitable contracts quickly become the norm to keep cash moving through the business. While revenue growth is important, turnover alone does not guarantee sustainability. A business can appear busy and successful on the surface while generating very little actual profit. Over time, this approach can create the illusion of growth while financial viability slips further and further away. This is why every business owner should understand their margins clearly. Before taking on new work,... - Published: 2026-05-27 - Modified: 2026-05-27 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/top-tax-mistakes-that-hurt-small-businesses-the-most-and-how-to-avoid-them/ - Categories: Business Tips Many South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) severely underestimate the time and money required to stay on top of their taxes. Consequently, poor tax management is widely recognised as one of the leading contributors to the failure of otherwise viable small businesses in South Africa. This is according to Tshinyi Mavhusha, Managing Director of Growth Firm and a business mentor contracted to the Business Partners Limited Supplier Development Programme. “Once tax obligations are neglected, penalties, interest and enforcement actions from SARS can quickly spiral out of control, placing severe strain on an SME’s already constrained cash flow,” she explains. Non-compliance, Mavhusha says, is typically due to a combination of limited understanding and cost-related constraints. “Many SME owners do not fully understand the different tax elements applicable to their businesses and the cost of tax compliance is often underestimated or not considered at all. ” A common issue is the mixing of personal and business finances. This may seem harmless in the early stages, particularly for sole proprietors, but it creates serious problems when it comes to record-keeping and tax submissions. “Poor record-keeping makes it difficult to accurately substantiate income and expenses,” she explains. “This increases the likelihood of errors, audits and ultimately higher tax liabilities when deductions cannot be justified. ” Closely linked to this is late or non-payment of taxes. This is often driven by cash flow pressure or poor planning, but the consequences can be severe. “Penalties and interest accumulate automatically, causing liabilities to escalate rapidly,” she... - Published: 2026-05-20 - Modified: 2026-05-20 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/heres-how-smes-can-survive-the-ongoing-fuel-price-hikes/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South African small businesses continue to face pressure from persistently high and volatile fuel costs, with fluctuations at the pumps adding ongoing strain to already tight operating margins. Even with the temporary fuel price increase relief measures extended until the end of June 2026, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this environment represents sustained financial pressure that extends far beyond fuel itself. For SMEs, Friedrich Meisenholl, Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited, says that the impact will extend far beyond the forecourt, quickly filtering through to the bottom line of businesses. “Small businesses typically feel these shocks first because they have less pricing power and thinner cash buffers. Ongoing increases and volatility in operating costs can force tough trade-offs between protecting margins and preserving demand, often at the worst possible time. ” As higher fuel prices feed through transport, supplier costs, deliveries, on‑site services and, ultimately, shelf prices, Meisenholl says SMEs need to respond proactively to remain resilient in a shifting cost environment. Meisenholl presents five practical steps SMEs can take now: Treat fuel as a manageable cost, not a fixed overhead As a starting point to minimise the direct impact, Meisenholl suggests reviewing routes, consolidating deliveries where possible, reassessing minimum order thresholds and monitoring driver behaviour. “Many businesses treat fuel expenses as unavoidable, but small operational adjustments – if made consistently – can meaningfully soften the impact of higher prices over time. Every kilometre saved is a cost avoided! ” Incorporate “shock ranges” into cashflow forecasts For most... - Published: 2026-05-05 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/interest-rates-credit-reform-and-smme-survival-what-business-owners-need-to-know/ - Categories: Business Tips Access to affordable credit remains one of the biggest determinants of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) survival. The problem, simply put, is that the traditional credit system was never designed with SMMEs in mind. During his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the National Credit Act (NCA) would be amended to make it easier for SMMEs to access credit at a lower rate. The NCA and its regulations have historically focused on protecting individual consumers. While that protection is important, it has had unintended consequences for small businesses. Many SMMEs fail to access credit not because they are unviable, but because they don’t meet traditional criteria applied. Irregular income, seasonal cash flows, limited collateral and limited equity all work against them. As a result, viable businesses are either declined or pushed toward short‑term, high‑cost funding that becomes unsustainable as rates rise. The regulatory reforms referenced in the SONA are intended to address this imbalance by modernising how lenders evaluate small businesses. In practice, this means enabling lenders to draw on a broader range of data sources when assessing SMME risk, encouraging cash‑flow‑based assessments rather than salary‑style affordability tests, and improving the overall visibility of SMMEs within the formal credit system. As a lender that assesses applications based on cashflow viability amongst other important elements such as entrepreneur skill and experience, this is an approach we welcome and support. The aim is not to lower lending standards, but to ensure that risk is assessed... - Published: 2026-04-30 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/workers-day-how-smes-can-retain-skilled-staff-when-corporates-can-pay-more/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases As South Africa marks Workers’ Day on 1 May, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are facing increasing pressure to retain scarce skilled talent in the face of steep corporate salary competition. However, while bigger firms may have the upper hand when it comes to pay, benefits and perceived long-term job security, SMEs can win on experience, agility and autonomy. This is according to Kgomotso Ramoenyane, Executive General Manager: Human Resources at Business Partners Limited, who says while staff retention challenges are being intensified by broader economic pressures, SMEs need to focus on their employer value proposition (EVP). “Most SMEs cannot compete purely on remuneration due to budget constraints. The question is therefore not how to out-pay corporates, but how to build workplaces that people actually want to stay in. ” Ramoenyane notes that employee retention has become a strategic business issue with direct implications for productivity, service delivery and long‑term sustainability. “When skilled employees leave, SMEs don’t just lose people; they lose customer relationships and operational continuity. The cost of repeated recruitment and onboarding can be particularly high for smaller businesses. ” To position themselves as competitive employers, she recommends leaning into non‑monetary retention strategies that align closely with what today’s workers are seeking. “Corporates often have more brand credibility, but there can also be more red tape and internal politics. SMEs, on the other hand, are nimble enough to mould their culture to accommodate their top workers with perks like remote work and flexible hours. “SMEs are also... - Published: 2026-04-29 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/investing-in-employees-a-critical-step-for-sme-growth/ - Categories: Business Tips In honour of the fight for workers’ rights, the focus around Workers' Day often falls on elements such as wages and working conditions. However, for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, who typically operate with smaller teams, the day should also serve as an important reminder that employees should not be seen as an operating expense to be managed, but a strategic business resource that needs to be actively developed, upskilled and invested in year after year. This ongoing investment not only supports individual employee growth but also strengthens productivity, resilience and ultimately medium to long-term business growth. The latest data from Productivity South Africa drives this point home. While the national workforce has grown and become more educated over time, labour productivity has deteriorated in recent years. This means that without deliberate investment in employees, growing your team – even with highly educated people – does not automatically translate into growth for your small business. This is particularly significant for SMEs that expect new hires to “hit the ground running”. The right onboarding can make a crucial difference in the level and speed at which employees are empowered to add value to a business. Training also shouldn’t stop at onboarding. Roles evolve quickly, particularly in small businesses where employees often wear multiple hats. Ongoing training – whether through on-the-job mentorship or short courses – ensures that skills remain relevant and aligned to the business’ needs. While the right capability is important, even the most appropriate skillset can fall short... - Published: 2026-04-28 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/for-this-breadwinner-at-15-entrepreneurship-was-the-only-path-that-made-sense/ - Categories: Client Stories Nomagcinasana “Gcina” Mdlankomo grew up under the stand of her mother’s fruit and vegetable stall at the taxi rank in Langa, a township in Cape Town. The youngest of twelve children, she recalls being overlooked. “I was kind of forgotten there. I was enrolled in school very late,” she says. But her unusual upbringing instilled in her a deep love of business that later helped the family survive and helped turn Gcina into the thriving property business owner that she is today. Gcina’s childhood ended abruptly when her father died and her mother fell seriously ill. At just 15 years old, she found herself the breadwinner of the family. She had always traded sweets and trinkets at school, but it was no longer a choice but it became a matter of survival. She began selling second-hand clothes over weekends, initially using her father’s extensive wardrobe, and later building a buying club with other traders that brought in containers full of clothes from the East. She helped her sister set up an eatery at her home and she built up a small fleet of taxis, among other ventures. However, when she attempted to expand from transporting school children to serving commuters she was hounded out of the industry by local violent criminals. Despite the setbacks Gcina never stopped trading. “It is the only thing that ever made sense to me,” she says. “That drive has always been in me. ” The remarkable thing about Gcina’s journey is that, throughout one of... - Published: 2026-04-28 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/he-lost-everything-twice-but-each-time-rebuilt-something-even-greater/ - Categories: Client Stories When Vincent Mutyaba thinks back 25 years to when he left Uganda as a young man and travelled to South Africa as a refugee, the US $50 he had in his pocket at the time actually seems like a lot of money – worth about R900 today – feels substantial in hindsight. Especially when measured against the setbacks he would later endure including losing everything twice in his struggle to build a life for himself in Cape Town. Vincent’s journey is one of grit, life-long learning and being open to any opportunity as he rose from trading at a tiny informal stall to building a multi-million rand property company. Today, his fast-growing company, Zaug Properties, houses close to 500 students and young professionals in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Back in 1999 his original plan was to reach the United States to study law. Instead a friend who had settled in Cape Town urged him to join him there, a decision that would reshape his future. Although Vincent had a qualification in carpentry, he never got to put it to use. Instead, he started an eclectic series of jobs in Cape Town in a herculean effort to build a life for him and his wife, a Capetonian whom he met soon after arriving. His first job was as a spaza shop assistant in Gugulethu, a local township, then worked as a driver for a construction company, before securing a position at a local Spar supermarket. Starting out as a... - Published: 2026-04-28 - Modified: 2026-05-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/find-your-financial-freedom-with-these-9-cashflow-tips/ - Categories: Business Tips Many business owners start their own ventures in pursuit of freedom, the freedom to work for themselves, not having to answer to a boss, setting their own schedule and deciding when and how to grow. In reality, however, it is easy to become trapped by your businesses. Weekends and evenings are often sacrificed and founders find themselves dancing to the tune of demanding clients in a fiercely competitive market. Rather than enjoying the freedom to find your own path, you can easily find yourself trapped on a hamster wheel of trying to keep your business afloat, says Xander Ngoyi, area manager at Business Partners Limited. The key to maintaining your freedom in business, Xander says, is good cashflow management. A business with healthy cashflow gives its owners the freedom and flexibility to pursue their goals. When cash flow is patchy, however, business owners can quickly become trapped by the businesses they built to set themselves free. Xander believes that Freedom Day celebrated on 27 April is a good opportunity for business owners to reflect on how free they really are within their businesses. He shares the following cashflow tips to help business owners manage their way towards financial freedom: Know the early warning signs of a looming cashflow crisis According to Xander there are several signs business owners should watch closely. He recommends conducting a weekly review to identify and address issues before they escalate. Keep a close eye on how long debtors take to settle their accounts, whether you... - Published: 2026-04-23 - Modified: 2026-04-29 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/freedom-through-entrepreneurship-but-not-without-support/ - Categories: Business Tips Many South Africans see entrepreneurship as a fast-track to economic freedom, however in reality, many local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must operate against formidable odds. Fortunately, there are a range of entrepreneurship support initiatives available to level the playing field. These support initiatives come in various forms, ranging from targeted public‑sector funding programmes to technology‑driven private‑sector fintech solutions. Below are just some of the initiatives that have the potential to play a crucial role in so many South African entrepreneurial success stories. The Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) Tourism remains one of South Africa’s most labour‑intensive sectors, yet access to capital has long been a barrier for many black‑owned and emerging tourism businesses. The Tourism Equity Fund was created to address this gap by offering blended finance - combining grant funding with loan finance – to qualifying enterprises across the tourism value chain. The fund enables entrepreneurs to invest in growth while retaining ownership and control of their businesses. This is critical: true economic freedom comes not just from accessing funding, but from doing so in a way that preserves long‑term value and decision‑making power. Spaza Shop Support Fund At the other end of the spectrum, the Spaza Shop Support Fund has focused on one of the most informal yet economically significant segments of the economy: township and rural spaza shops. Beyond providing financial support, the fund recognises that sustainability requires more than capital alone. It includes non‑financial assistance such as business training, food safety compliance and the adoption of... - Published: 2026-04-23 - Modified: 2026-04-29 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/what-smes-need-from-south-africas-business-ecosystem-this-freedom-day/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South Africa has come a long way in the 32 years since holding its first democratic elections, achieving political and social transformation. However, for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this progress has not yet fully translated into meaningful economic inclusion. A persistent disconnect remains between gains of democracy formation post-1994 and the lived economic realities of many entrepreneurs, particularly those from historically disadvantaged groups. Insights from the Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index reflect this complexity. While SMEs acknowledge the efforts made by both government and the private sector to strengthen the SME ecosystem, more sustained action is still required. Introduced in 2012, the SME Confidence Index shows that SME confidence that government is doing enough to foster SME development has improved from 26% in Q3 2012 to 49% in Q3 2025, signalling growing recognition of policy intent and intervention. SME confidence in the private sector has also strengthened, rising from 44% in Q3 2012 to 54% in Q3 2025, reflecting an expanding role for corporates, financiers and enterprise development initiatives in supporting SMEs. This is according to Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager: Marketing and Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, who says local SMEs remain constrained by persistent structural barriers that limit their ability to participate fully in the economy. “SMEs play such a critical role in driving employment, innovation and local economic development, yet for many of these businesses, the freedom to grow is still not guaranteed. While confidence in initiatives introduced since the dawn of democracy... - Published: 2026-04-23 - Modified: 2026-07-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-prepare-for-your-business-pitch-for-funding/ - Categories: Business Tips The general success rate for business funding applications in South Africa remains low, with industry estimates suggesting that fewer than one in three applications are ultimately approved. In South Africa’s constrained funding environment, where many of the capital providers can be too selective and risk-conscious, knowing how to pitch your business funding application is important. Too often, funding pitches focus on the urgency of needing capital rather than clearly articulating why the business is investable, scalable and able to repay – or grow – the funding over time, which is where many otherwise viable businesses fall short. As a starting point, identify your preferred financiers and take time to really understand their application process and what they are assessing. At Business Partners Limited, for example, the funding process is structured as a short multi-stage assessment, beginning with an initial screening and progressing through detailed due diligence before final approval. At each stage, applications are evaluated on their merits, with a strong emphasis on viability, long-term sustainability and entrepreneur skill and experience. The first and most critical filter is cash flow viability. Funders need to see clear evidence that your business can generate sufficient income to service the debt and grow over time. This includes assessing: The strength and relevance of your product or service Market demand and size Your business model and revenue streams Your gearing (debt-to-capital ratio) Your track record and stage of development Equally important is the entrepreneur behind the business. Your technical expertise, management capability, credit history,... - Published: 2026-04-02 - Modified: 2026-04-02 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/winners-announced-for-the-16th-annual-sme-toolkit-business-plan-competition/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South Africa’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs once again took the spotlight in the 2025 SME Toolkit South Africa Business Plan Competition. Now in its 16th year, the competition continues to serve as a powerful platform equipping aspiring business owners with the tools, insights, and confidence needed to build sustainable enterprises. After attending a series of training workshops, participants were required to develop and submit detailed business plans for their ventures. The programme drew a strong group of finalists who showed innovation, resilience, and clear plans for growth. Ndwedwe Animal Health Care Facility founder, Sinothile Ntshangase claimed the top prize after a tough judging process. Celebrating entrepreneurial excellence As the overall winner Ndwedwe Animal Health Care Facility walked away with a R50 000 cash prize, a R50 000 mentorship package, and a laptop. The business focuses on improving access to essential animal healthcare services in underserved rural communities and stands out for its strong social impact and scalability. Securing the position of first runner-up was Jared Moodley, founder of Innovate Tutors, who received R30 000 in cash, a mentorship package valued at R30 000, and a laptop. Innovate Tutors is dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes through customised learning experiences and forward-thinking tutoring solutions. The second runner-up title went to Patrick Makganyoga, founder of Wastend Group, who received R20 000 in cash, a mentorship package valued at R20 000 and a laptop. Patrick’s business is making strides in the waste management sector by promoting environmentally responsible practices while contributing to job creation. The nine... - Published: 2026-03-10 - Modified: 2026-03-10 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/small-businesses-bear-the-cost-of-south-africas-late-payment-negligence/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases The National Treasury’s latest payment data points to a worsening late payment crisis across national and provincial government departments, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of current payment terms for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the end of the second quarter of 2025, 95 399 invoices older than 30 days with a combined value of R12,4 billion remained unpaid. This represents a regression of 17%, or an additional 13 663 unpaid invoices, compared to the end of the first quarter, when 81 736 invoices were outstanding. The value of unpaid invoices has also worsened. Treasury data shows that the rand value of invoices older than 30 days rose from R11,7 billion at the end of the first quarter to R12,4 billion by the end of the second quarter. This reflects a 6% deterioration, or R663 million, over a single quarter. For small businesses, these figures translate into far more than administrative inefficiencies. “Late payments are not just a cash-flow inconvenience for SMEs, they are a direct threat to business continuity,” says Lawrance Ramotala, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited. “Unlike large corporates, most small businesses do not have the balance sheets or reserves to absorb prolonged payment delays. ” The impact is particularly severe for sectors that operate on tight margins and high volumes. Retail, manufacturing and service-based SMEs often feel the effects first, as they rely on consistent cash inflows to replenish stock, fund production cycles and meet day-to-day expenses. “When payment cycles stretch beyond 30... - Published: 2026-03-03 - Modified: 2026-03-10 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-smes-can-use-ai-for-product-development/ - Categories: Business Tips Product development is notoriously time consuming and expensive. It requires research, testing, iteration and often multiple failed attempts before something works. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with limited capital, that trial-and-error cycle can be risky. While AI does not eliminate risk, it significantly reduces the cost and time involved in refining ideas. The key is understanding where AI adds practical value, and where you’re better off taking an old-school approach. Below are five high-impact ways that SMEs can use AI to strengthen their product development processes. Customer insight Most SMEs are sitting on a mountain of valuable but underused data – from customer reviews, support queries and sales records to website analytics and social media engagement. AI-powered tools can analyse this information at scale, identifying patterns that would take weeks or even months to detect manually. This includes recurring complaints, feature requests, pricing sensitivities and regional differences in buying behaviour. Instead of relying on internal assumptions and anecdotal feedback, business owners can prioritise product improvements based on data-driven evidence. In a diverse and price-sensitive market like South Africa, this provides a clearer, more objective understanding of customer needs. Validation before capital investment One of the biggest risks in product development is committing resources to an idea that has not been properly tested. Fortunately, AI can support rapid concept validation. SMEs can use AI to refine product descriptions, simulate different pricing scenarios or generate multiple value propositions for testing in targeted digital campaigns. Engagement data and real-time feedback analysis can... - Published: 2026-03-03 - Modified: 2026-03-03 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-sa-smes-can-take-control-of-their-cash-flow-and-build-financial-resilience/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Cash flow remains one of the toughest challenges for South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Not only does it consistently rank as a top concern in the Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index, but a global Xero survey also found that 72% of local SMEs were forced to draw on personal savings to survive in the past year. While some factors are beyond the control of business owners, Megan Dedekind, area manager at Business Partners Limited, says proactive financial management can go a long way towards alleviating cash flow pressures. “Rising input costs, late customer payments, and broader economic uncertainty are realities that entrepreneurs cannot easily change. However, many of the most damaging cash flow crises stem from issues that are within their control. ” Among these issues are poor budgeting practices, inadequate planning for seasonal fluctuations, or simply not keeping a close enough eye on the numbers. To ensure these don’t catch you off-guard, Dedekind outlines six best practices for strengthening financial oversight and ensuring long-term sustainability. Budget with discipline A robust budget is the foundation of good financial management. Dedekind advises business owners to set realistic budgets that account not only for day-to-day operating expenses, but also for less predictable costs such as equipment breakdowns or regulatory changes. “Your budget should serve as a roadmap, giving you visibility into both fixed and variable costs,” she says. “This makes it easier to spot when spending is creeping higher than planned allowing SMEs to take corrective action quickly. ”... - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-sme-disconnect-why-are-smes-not-seeing-benefits-from-economic-uptick/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reported a broad-based decline in confidence during the third quarter of 2025, despite a series of positive macroeconomic developments and strong optimism around the G20 Summit. This is according to the latest Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index, which shows weakening sentiment across almost all performance indicators compared to both the previous quarter (Q2 2025) and the same period last year (Q3 2024). “Several encouraging economic signals emerged during the quarter: South Africa recorded 0,5% GDP growth, inflation expectations settled to a record low, and interest rates hit their lowest levels since 2022. Yet these improvements have not translated into stronger business sentiment,” says Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited. SMEs’ confidence levels that their businesses will grow over the next 12 months declined to 79%, down 2 percentage points (pp) quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year. Similarly, confidence that the South African economy will be conducive to business growth dropped to 64%, down 2pp from Q2 and 4pp compared to Q3 2024. Confidence in the ease of access to finance saw one of the sharper declines, falling to 61% - 6pp lower than the previous quarter and 2pp down year-on-year. Confidence in labour laws being conducive to business growth decreased to 58% (down 2pp quarter-on-quarter and 3pp year-on-year), while confidence in finding suitably skilled staff fell to 69% (down 2pp quarter-on-quarter and 1pp year-on-year). Confidence in private sector support also weakened to 54%, down 2pp both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year. The only indicator to... - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-beat-the-odds-in-your-first-year-of-business/ - Categories: Business Tips According to recent data from the Australian . Failure rates in South Africa are nearly double that, with 40% of new ventures failing within the first year. The truth is that South Africa’s business landscape magnifies many first-year risks. The operating environment is more volatile, resource-constrained, and structurally complex than most developed markets. Those first twelve months of running a business are also typically the most unforgiving, as you make decisions with imperfect information, test assumptions in real time, and constantly question what you thought you knew. Often, cash flow strain is the biggest early pressure point. Many entrepreneurs underestimate how long it takes for revenue to reach targeted levels. In South Africa, payment delays tend to be longer, consumer spending is more cautious, and suppliers often require upfront or early payment from new businesses. Even with a strong offering, it can take time for customers’ trust to translate into recurring revenue. Customer acquisition can also be an uphill battle. Many first-time entrepreneurs assume that customers will immediately understand what they offer, but the market rarely behaves that neatly. What you think you are selling and what customers value are often two different things. Listening carefully to customers is key to refining your value proposition before you build expensive campaigns or processes around the wrong assumptions. Another reality is operational disruption. While load shedding has eased, there are still countless external factors that impact service delivery, manufacturing schedules, stock management, and turnaround times. These issues tend to reveal themselves quickly... - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-sa-smes-need-to-hire-smart-in-this-economy-not-fast/ - Categories: Business Tips South Africa’s current labour market presents a paradox that many business owners know all too well. On the one hand, the country’s official unemployment rate remains above 30% - one of the highest in the world. Yet on the other hand, employers consistently report difficulty in finding candidates with the right skills, experience and cultural fit. Theoretically, high unemployment should make hiring easier. CVs flood in, interview slots fill up, and vacancies can be filled relatively quickly. In practice, however, this can increase the risk of a poor hire, as businesses struggle to distinguish genuine capability from desperation, inflated CVs or misaligned expectations. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the cost of getting it wrong is significant. This is because, unlike larger corporates, SMEs rarely have surplus capacity to absorb underperformance. One bad hire doesn’t just mean the job doesn’t get done; it can drain management time, disrupt team dynamics, and stifle growth. In a tough economic climate, these risks are amplified. This is why hiring smart, not fast, is so critical. Do the groundwork Importantly, a smart hiring process begins well before the first CV is reviewed. The most common mistake we see among SMEs is hiring for an immediate gap rather than a defined role and business function. Before advertising a position, business owners should be clear on what problem the hire is meant to solve, how success will be measured, and how the role fits into the business’s medium-to-long-term plan. This clarity helps avoid over-hiring or hiring... - Published: 2026-02-19 - Modified: 2026-02-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/proactive-succession-planning-key-to-leaving-a-lasting-legacy/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases When building a business from the ground up, founders are often asked about the legacy they want to leave to future generations. The reality, however, is that the average lifespan of a public company is just 15 years – roughly one generation. This is why Sudir Sahadeo, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, believes succession planning is about so much more than just naming a replacement. “It’s about grooming future leaders, formalising governance, and ensuring that financial and ownership structures support a smooth transition. Even successful businesses with competent new leaders can falter when their founder steps away. ” In this sense, a well-structured succession plan protects more than just the owner’s investment; it safeguards the entire ecosystem around the business. Employees rely on the company for their livelihoods, clients depend on its services, suppliers need its stability and local communities often depend and benefit from the business. Without a clear plan, companies can face leadership vacuums, internal conflict or even collapse when a key decision-maker retires, passes away or exits unexpectedly. Sahadeo adds that proactive planning can also help unlock growth. “When ownership transitions are planned well, it gives the next generation the confidence and structure to innovate. It also reassures lenders and investors that the business is stable and sustainable. ” From legacy to leadership A compelling example of successful succession planning can be seen in the story of Human Scale Printers (HSP), a Durban-based printing and packaging private business founded in 1986 by Geoffrey Bongani Buthelezi.... - Published: 2026-02-17 - Modified: 2026-02-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/new-fund-unlocks-finance-for-women-entrepreneurs/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Business Partners Limited has launched a new fund designed to support women-owned businesses that struggle to access finance through traditional finance institutions. The fund launches at the right time as a recent survey revealed that South Africa’s pool of female entrepreneurs is shrinking as they contend with a hostile business environment. The Basadi-Women Growth Fund, valued at R90 million, targets formal small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with at least 50 percent female ownership and with an annual turnover of less than R20 million. Eligible women entrepreneurs can apply for loans ranging from R250 000 to R5 million. The finance can be used for property acquisition, working capital, equipment or asset finance, acquisitions or takeovers, as replacement finance or to buy a viable start-up franchise. René Botha, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, says the fund aims to bridge major gaps in the support for female entrepreneurs in South Africa. Research from Women Entrepreneurship in SA Report shows that only 4,1 percent of women start businesses compared to 7,9 percent of men, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions. Women entrepreneurs who do start their own businesses face stronger headwinds than their male counterparts. Research shows that more women cite lack of access to finance as a major hurdle than male entrepreneurs. In addition, family responsibilities and lower profitability also hit women entrepreneurs harder than men. As a result, women-led businesses grow at a significantly slower pace. According to René, only 4,9 percent of women-owned ventures reach a headcount... - Published: 2026-02-17 - Modified: 2026-02-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/local-factory-a-bulwark-against-tide-of-imports/ - Categories: Client Stories Having spent his whole life in the hair care and cosmetics industry, Shailesh Bhavanbhai knows how important it is to follow the latest fashion trends. Yet, as an entrepreneur, he also knows the power of bucking the trend. While few South African entrepreneurs dare to compete with cheap imports from the East by establishing local manufacturing, Shailesh decided to do just that. Two years ago, Shailesh invested all he had, including his almost four decades of experience and knowledge, into starting up his own small factory in Crown Mines, Johannesburg. There, with a team of 16 employees, he produces hairstyling products for his four own brands, Top Notch, Belleza, Ayur and Sage. Ironically, it was competition from China that pushed him back into manufacturing, Shailesh explains. Since 2010, he had been importing hair accessories and salon equipment for the local market. But over the years competition in the trade became increasingly fierce as Chinese traders started importing directly into South Africa. Shailesh saw that the only way to grow was to diversify into a segment less vulnerable to cheap imports. Hairstyling chemicals are mass produced in the East, but they typically follow American formulas that are not as suited to local hair types. Drawing on his lifelong knowledge of South African local hair care since he was a child, Shailesh saw an opportunity and seized it. Shailesh’s journey in the hair-care business began at his parents’ barber shop and hair-care business. Straight after school, he went to work in the... - Published: 2026-02-17 - Modified: 2026-02-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/born-with-the-business-entrepreneur-building-a-r100-million-family-legacy/ - Categories: Client Stories Khaya Sakawuli is one of the few entrepreneurs who can claim that he is exactly the same age as his business. In the year he was born, his mother Nothusile started selling vetkoeks to the school that he would later attend in the small village close to Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape. What started as a modest vetkoek venture has grown into a thriving property business based in Pretoria and Gqeberha with assets worth nearly R60 million. Khaya’s vision is to expand the business to R100 million in assets and hand it over to the third generation of Sakawuli’s. Today, he runs Sakawuli’s Properties CC and Msinyane Investments together with his son Viwe. “We come from a very entrepreneurial family. My mother never worked for anyone else,” says Khaya, recalling how Nothusile’s vetkoek business grew into a village shop. His father Alfred, left his migrant-labour job to join the business, helping it grow further. Later Khaya’s older brother Sicelo, armed with a BCom degree transformed the shop into a supermarket. Khaya followed in Sicelo’s footsteps by studying for a BCom degree but carved his own path while Sicelo managed the family business. After completing his honours degree, Khaya gained valuable experience working in the finance division of Truworths and the operations division of Transnet, building a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. Khaya then started building his own quarry business in Umtata in the early 2000s while still assisting Sicelo in growing the family business further by buying and letting... - Published: 2026-02-17 - Modified: 2026-02-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-protect-your-business-from-the-cybercrime-surge/ - Categories: Business Tips Whether your business is experiencing its busiest period or a slowdown, one constant threat remains, the ongoing surge in cybercrime, warns Luyolo Ndinisa, IT security specialist at Business Partners Limited. Cybercriminals don’t just target your IT systems, they target people. They strike when human defenses are at their weakest. Employees may be overworked and distracted, teams may be operating with reduced supervision and enticing “too-good-to-be-true” special offers are everywhere. Luyolo says by far the most attempts at hacking a company’s IT system is by tricking a staff member to click on a link that begins a process of downloading malicious software, or by persuading staff members to divulge login details. From there, the consequences can be severe. Here are some common scams: Ransomware attacks: hackers encrypt your company’s data and demand payment, often in cryptocurrency to restore access. Most recently, hackers have been demanding an extra payment to stop them from publishing your data online, says Luyolo. Email interception scams: criminals hijack your invoicing emails and replace your banking details with theirs, diverting payments. Impersonation scams: hackers pose as your senior manager and instruct a financial manager in your business to make a fraudulent payment into their account. Account takeovers: hackers successfully convince you or your staff members to divulge your login details, often by pretending to be your bank, they can clean out your bank accounts. With the rapid rise of AI‑powered tools, this type of scam has become far more convincing and far easier for unsuspecting individuals to... - Published: 2026-02-05 - Modified: 2026-02-11 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/your-first-hire-matters-more-than-you-think-heres-how-to-get-it-right/ - Categories: Business Tips Bringing your first employee on board is a major milestone for any small business, but it’s also one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make. In South Africa, the cost of a bad hire can be surprisingly steep. When you factor in job advertising, hours spent screening and interviewing, onboarding and training, wasted salary, and the expense of finding a replacement, a single unsuccessful hire can easily cost tens of thousands of rands. With tight budgets and little margin for error, small business owners have a lot riding on their first hire. Get it right, and you create capacity, expertise and momentum. Get it wrong, and you risk wasted resources, eroded morale and a costly restart. Here’s how to manage your first hire thoughtfully and practically. Clearly define the role before advertising The foundation of any successful hire is a well-defined role. Too often, small business owners post vague job ads because they’re unsure exactly what they need. Before you list a position, write a job description that spells out the core responsibilities, required skills and expected outcomes. Consider the tasks you need help with and how success will be measured. This clarity not only helps candidates understand the job but also guides you during interviews and onboarding. A clear role definition also makes it easier to assess cultural fit and expectations. Plan for the real cost of hiring Hiring costs extend way beyond salary. In South Africa, the cost to onboard a new employee can start around R30 000... - Published: 2026-02-05 - Modified: 2026-02-11 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/should-your-business-offer-buy-now-pay-later/ - Categories: Business Tips Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing developments in South Africa’s payment landscape. While card payments remain the preferred option for online purchases, the use of BNPL products reportedly doubled between 2024 and 2025. According to the same report, BNPL is the most requested new payment method, with 34% of consumers asking merchants to implement it. At a practical level, BNPL allows customers to purchase goods by paying a small amount upfront and settling the balance in instalments over a short payment cycle – usually weeks – without interest if payments are made on time. Providers such as Payflex, PayJustNow and Happy Pay generally pay the merchant in full upfront, while taking on the responsibility of collecting instalments from the customer. This is a key distinction from traditional credit models and one of the main reasons BNPL has gained traction so quickly. To understand its appeal, it is useful to look at what came before. Until relatively recently, retailers – particularly in sectors such as electronics and furniture – relied on 12-, 24- or even 36-month instalment options to make higher-ticket items more accessible. While effective, these longer-term credit arrangements often involved lengthy approval processes and higher barriers to entry for consumers. BNPL, by contrast, is designed for simplicity and short-term affordability. For small businesses, offering BNPL could potentially reduce cart abandonment, increase average order values and open access to new customers. In a tough economic environment, consumers are increasingly cautious with cash flow, and spreading... - Published: 2026-01-19 - Modified: 2026-01-19 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/building-a-values-driven-business-why-culture-matters-even-in-a-small-team/ - Categories: Business Tips Research indicates that employees who feel a strong connection to their organisation’s culture are four times more likely to be engaged at work and almost six times more likely to recommend their workplace to others. For a small business hoping to scale, this matters even more. In the early stages, every employee has a significant impact on performance, morale and reputation. Culture is not something that emerges later once the business is bigger; it is shaped from the very first hire and becomes harder to change as the size of the team grows. Simply put, culture is how work gets done when no one is watching. It’s how decisions are made, how customers are treated, how mistakes are handled and how pressure is dealt with. In a small team, these behaviours are highly visible and quickly reinforced. A value-driven culture can become a competitive advantage, while a weak or inconsistent one can quietly undermine growth. The foundation of a value-driven business is clarity. As a business owner, you need to be explicit about what you stand for and what you will not tolerate. Values should go beyond generic statements like integrity or excellence and be translated into practical behaviours. For example, if transparency is a core value, what does that mean in day-to-day operations? Does it involve sharing financial realities with staff, being open about challenges, or explaining the reasoning behind decisions? When values are clearly defined and lived, employees understand what is expected and how they can contribute meaningfully.... - Published: 2025-12-19 - Modified: 2026-01-02 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-manage-your-business-online-reputation-this-festive-season/ - Categories: Business Tips As we step into the festive season, it is a perfect time to reflect on what truly matters for small businesses. A strong business’ reputation has always mattered, but in today’s digital environment it can determine whether a potential customer commits or moves on to a competitor. Research consistently shows that consumers rely heavily on online information before committing to a purchase, and for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this creates both opportunity and risk. A strong digital reputation can amplify your credibility far beyond your physical footprint, while a neglected one can quietly undermine years of hard work. For South African entrepreneurs, this matters even more. Local consumers are price-conscious, cautious and selective, especially in tougher economic conditions. Many rely on online reviews, social media comments and search results to validate trust before spending their money. If what they find online is inaccurate, outdated, inconsistent or unflattering, it directly affects your ability to win business, even if you offer excellent products or services offline. The starting point is understanding that your online reputation extends far beyond your own website or social media pages. It includes what customers say about you on platforms like Google, HelloPeter and Facebook, any articles or mentions in the media, the visibility of your business on search engines, and even the personal online behaviour of founders or staff linked to the brand. Managing this deliberately is not optional; it is a core part of modern business hygiene and the festive season is the best time... - Published: 2025-12-19 - Modified: 2026-01-02 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/brainstorming-your-hidden-weapon-for-business-success/ - Categories: Business Tips It’s been a tough year for many South African entrepreneurs. A 2025 study revealed that more than half (52,8%) of the country’s small businesses are contracting, trading with difficulty, or at risk of closure. If you find yourself in a difficult trading position or staring down the possibility of liquidation, it can feel as if you’re stuck and unable to shift direction. But recovery is possible. One of the most underrated tools to turn things around is collaborative, structured brainstorming – a process that helps uncover practical and innovative turnaround solutions to reposition your business. At its core, brainstorming is a disciplined method for unlocking innovation by using the collective intelligence of a group to generate and test ideas. There are even experts in the market which assist with this process as we have with the Business Partners Limited technical assistance programme. Research consistently shows that collaboration drives innovation, but brainstorming goes one step further by challenging assumptions and creating the conditions that spark practical, workable solutions that individuals would not produce on their own. This matters even more when a business is struggling. Business decline often results from a combination of issues rather than a single event: slipping sales, cash flow pressure, operational bottlenecks, weak customer communication or outdated processes. No single person sees the full picture, but different people see different parts of it. Brainstorming brings those fragments together and helps to identify the root causes. To be effective, the session must be anchored in facts – tangible... - Published: 2025-12-02 - Modified: 2025-12-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/breaking-barriers-business-partners-limited-launches-new-basadi-women-growth-fund-to-close-the-gender-financing-gap/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases The GEM SA Special Report: Women’s Entrepreneurship in South Africa Report (2024) reveals a concerning trend: the rate of women entrepreneurs exiting their businesses is higher than those starting and running businesses. The key driver of this attrition is access to finance - 21,5 percent of women entrepreneurs cite difficulty securing funding as the primary reason for business failure, compared to 17,2 percent of their male counterparts. This widening gender gap, particularly as businesses mature, points to an urgent need for targeted support to help South African women-owned SMEs to scale up and achieve sustained success. To address this challenge, Business Partners Limited has today launched a R90 million Basadi-Women Growth Fund. The Fund provides tailored business finance ranging from R250 000 to R5 million, specifically designed to support women with viable formal small and medium businesses, who may not qualify for finance through traditional channels. René Botha, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, says South African women experience higher rates of unemployment and lower education levels than their male counterparts. “This inequality is mirrored in entrepreneurial activity where the percentage of men who own established businesses in the country – 7,9 percent – is nearly double that of women at 4,1 percent according to the Women Entrepreneurship in SA Report. ” Implications of limited access The Women Entrepreneurship in SA Report further highlights that the leading reason entrepreneurs exit their businesses is lack of profitability – impacting both men and women, though more severely for women (34,4 percent... - Published: 2025-11-26 - Modified: 2025-11-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/an-entrepreneurs-guide-to-spotting-market-gaps-that-matter/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Entrepreneurship and passion are somewhat synonymous, but passion alone is not enough to be successful in business. The most successful business owners are those who align their passion with a genuine market need – finding the sweet spot between what you love to do and what others are willing to pay for. Friedrich Meisenholl regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited says this alignment is what separates sustainable businesses from fleeting fly by night operations. “Entrepreneurs who build around something they genuinely care about tend to be more motivated, innovative, and resilient, even when faced with economic uncertainty or fierce competition. This passion, however, needs to resonate with an audience. If it doesn’t, you’ve got a hobby, not a business. ” Find the gaps that matter Whether you are starting a new business or adding a new product line to your existing business, instead of chasing trends, Meisenholl encourages business owners to look for gaps. “Rather than hopping on a trend that will likely die down, find a problem that needs solving. The key here is to look for pain points or inefficiencies others have overlooked and then apply your unique skills and enthusiasm to address them. ” One way to start is by looking at your own frustrations as a consumer. If something feels inefficient or inconvenient to you, chances are others feel the same. Entrepreneurs who can turn that frustration into a practical solution often gain first-mover advantage in niche markets. Prove your own point Before diving in,... - Published: 2025-11-24 - Modified: 2025-11-24 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/resilience-on-the-short-the-inspiring-comeback-of-crawfords-beach-lodge/ - Categories: Client Stories When Mark Crawford looks out over the buildings of Crawfords Beach Lodge nestled among lush coastal vegetation above the beautiful Cintsa beach near East London, he sees more than a resort, he sees his family’s remarkable legacy. He remembers where the labourer’s cottages stood that his grandfather converted into self-catering units after buying a derelict chicken farm in the 1970s. He remembers the Wild Coast-style thatched houses that his parents built, as well as all the modern facilities that he has added since he joined the family business in 2010. “This place has always reflected the personality of each generation that ran it. It is not just another beach resort, it has a personality and history,” says Mark. One of the most remarkable aspects of that history is that the business was started twice, roughly ten years apart, in almost the same way. The first time was when Mark’s grandfather sold his farm on land that would later become Sandton and purchased the derelict chicken farm overlooking what he thought was the most beautiful beach in South Africa in the late 70s. Back in those days guests had to travel over dirt tracks to reach the resort, opening and closing farm gates as they went. While Mark’s grandfather had to transition from farmer to hotelier, the second generation entered hospitality from the start. Mark’s parents worked at various Wild Coast hotels and sent money to the family business for new cabins to be built one at a time. By the... - Published: 2025-11-24 - Modified: 2025-11-24 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/educational-entrepreneurs-success-a-bulwark-against-the-forces-that-tried-to-destroy-him/ - Categories: Client Stories It’s rare for the story of a single entrepreneur to highlight on one of South Africa’s greatest obstacles to progress and at the same time embody the ultimate solution to the problem. Nyangani Tshabalala was still a student in applied mathematics and physics at the Nelson Mandela University when he started a programme to help struggling learners who failed their matric exams with a second chance. The need was so great and the tutoring that he offered so effective that the programme blossomed into a sustainable and thriving business in the Izinyoka Township in Gqeberha, until the local mafia destroyed it. What began as gangsters posing as protectors soon escalated into three break-ins in short succession, followed by a devastating tragedy, the fatal shooting of Nyangani’s younger brother. The loss shattered the Tshabalala family and destroyed the project. A lesser entrepreneur, especially someone with a maths and physics degree, would have given up and pursued a safe corporate career, but the tragedy forged Nyangani’s passion for teaching into a steely determination to fight the forces of destruction in South Africa. Nyangani closed operation in Gqeberha and returned home to the Vaal, Gauteng where he was born and raised by his mother, who was a single parent and a domestic worker. This time, Nyangani forged an alliance with the Vaal University of Technology, and later set up a branch for his business, called the Institute for Applied Science and Commerce (Ifasco) in Vanderbijlpark and Braamfontein, selecting the locations carefully for safety... - Published: 2025-11-24 - Modified: 2025-11-24 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/africas-growing-demand-for-south-african-businesses-takes-centre-stage-during-global-entrepreneurship-week/ - Categories: Business Tips As Global Entrepreneurship Week shines a spotlight on innovation and cross-border opportunities, Africa’s economic momentum is impossible to ignore. With the growth of the overall African economy continuing to outpace South Africa with a solid two percentage points higher, the demand from across the continent for local goods and services will only grow significantly. Even businesses who have given little thought about trading beyond South Africa’s borders will soon find queries and orders from neighbouring countries, particularly via online platforms. According to a recent report, logistics companies have seen a 14 percent year-on-year increase in cross-border e-commerce volumes. Joel Andrews, regional investment manager for Business Partners International, notes that major infrastructure developments are not only opening up large parts of the continent to economic growth, however the construction of roads, railroads, telecommunications towers and power lines is not only driving growth but creating an unprecedented demand for goods, services and engineering expertise. Materials and technical skills are in great demand, as are goods and services to the flourishing and growing tourism and hospitality sector across Africa. Joel says food and drinks are to a large degree produced locally, but other consumables of the tourism sector, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning products, linen and uniforms will continue to be in high demand. Across Africa, businesses and government institution are embracing digital transformation, creating significant opportunities for South African companies in IT, electronics and related services. The relative scarcity of IT skilled professionals on the continent makes this an especially... - Published: 2025-11-12 - Modified: 2025-11-27 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/small-businesses-urged-to-treat-black-friday-as-a-visibility-moment-not-a-discount-race/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases As the world prepares for another Black Friday (28 November), South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have a golden opportunity to stand out from the big brand noise by offering more value-driven, authentic alternatives. This is according to Sudir Sahadeo, Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited, who says that while big retailers may win on price, small businesses can win on connection. “Black Friday has long favoured large retailers with big advertising budgets and the ability to absorb heavy discounts. But entrepreneurs can run their own race by using this time to build relationships, boost visibility, and remind communities why supporting local matters. ” Competing on value, not price An increasingly constrained economic environment has bred a more cautious consumer, reinforcing expectations for aggressive Black Friday discounting. But Sahadeo warns that SMEs who try to compete purely on price risk eroding already-tight margins and damaging long-term sustainability. “Instead of slashing prices, focus on providing more value-added offers such as bundles, loyalty benefits, free delivery, or extended services. These reinforce customer experience and deliver tangible benefits without compromising profitability. They also showcase the agility of small businesses to exceed customer expectations,” he says. Sharing the local story Research shows that South Africans are keen to support local businesses, particularly those that create jobs and foster community development. SMEs can benefit by aligning themselves with efforts to strengthen and inclusively grow the local economy. “The competitive advantage of a small business often lies in its story,” says Sahadeo. “People want... - Published: 2025-11-12 - Modified: 2025-11-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-smart-entrepreneurs-guide-to-letting-go-of-a-business-idea/ - Categories: Business Tips According to research by the University of the Western Cape, between 70% and 80% of small businesses in South Africa fail within the first five years. And that’s for real, established businesses. The failure rate for business ideas – before they even get off the ground – is likely much higher. That’s why knowing whether your idea has genuine potential, and recognising the point at which it doesn’t, is critical for any aspiring entrepreneur. Continuing to invest time, money, and energy into an idea that isn’t viable can be costly, both financially and emotionally. That said, not every business idea is destined for failure. Here are five ways to determine whether an idea has the potential to succeed and when it’s time to let go. Test market demand early One of the most common reasons businesses fail is simply because there isn’t enough demand for their product or service. Before investing heavily, test the market. This can be done through surveys, pilot programmes, pre-orders, or small-scale launches. Honest feedback from potential customers can reveal whether your idea meets a genuine need. If there is little interest or engagement despite your best efforts, it may be a strong signal that the idea isn’t viable in its current form. Recognising this early saves resources and allows you to rework your idea or redirect your energy toward more promising opportunities. Evaluate the financial reality Passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. A sound business idea must also make financial sense. Create detailed projections, including... - Published: 2025-11-12 - Modified: 2025-11-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/why-in-person-networking-still-matters-for-business-owners/ - Categories: Business Tips Essential preparation tips for attending networking events In the words of business magnate, Richard Branson, “Success in business is all about making connections”. While this remains inherently true, networking behaviours – like what draws people to in-person events, how they prefer to connect, and which formats foster the strongest engagement – continue to evolve. Today, business owners are networking with purpose – not just for handshakes, but for insights and innovation. This is according to the 2025 trends report by Freeman, a global leader in events, which reveals 61% of respondents network primarily to learn something new, while 58% do so to exchange ideas and 54%, to identify collaboration opportunities. Preparation is your secret weapon Walking into a networking event without preparation is a bit like pitching to an investor without a business plan – you might get lucky, but the odds aren’t in your favour. The entrepreneurs who consistently gain value from networking are the ones who take a strategic approach. They do their research, set objectives, and approach every conversation with intent. Here are five practical steps drawn from the Freeman report’s findings to help you prepare and network with purpose: Step one: Do your homework Before a networking event, research who’s attending, which experts will be there, and what topics will be discussed. In the report, 43% of respondents said knowing which industry leaders would be present helped them connect more effectively, while 40% value being able to connect with targeted attendees in advance. Step two: Arrive... - Published: 2025-11-12 - Modified: 2025-11-12 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/how-to-put-your-mental-health-first-as-a-business-owner/ - Categories: Business Tips Countless studies confirm the relationship between poor mental health or even a negative mood and lost productivity, but many of these focus on employees' productivity. What happens if you, as a business owner, are struggling with your own mental wellbeing? If this is the case, the impact on your business can be profound. Mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health. Just as no one should continue running a business with an untreated injury, ignoring your mental wellbeing shouldn’t be an option either. A healthy entrepreneur is generally more resilient and better equipped to navigate the challenges they will inevitably face. Here are five ways to put your wellbeing first and help your business in the process: Recognise that burnout is a business risk Entrepreneurs are known for their determination and willingness to push through obstacles, but this “always on” mindset can quickly lead to burnout. Unfortunately, burnout doesn’t just affect your health, it can impact creativity, productivity, and long-term sustainability. Recognising early warning signs such as constant fatigue, irritability, or difficulty focusing can help you prevent burnout before it hits. Prioritise rest like you would a weekly meeting Stop seeing rest as a luxury or reward. Just as athletes schedule recovery into their training, business owners need downtime to perform at their best. Simple steps like maintaining regular sleep, switching off emails after hours, and taking short breaks during the workday can make a significant difference. Periodic longer breaks, such as a weekend away or... - Published: 2025-11-05 - Modified: 2025-11-05 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/from-funeral-services-to-fashion-south-africas-most-innovative-entrepreneurs-of-2025/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Five SMEs are transforming South Africa’s economy through innovation, job creation, and unconventional leadership In a year marked by economic uncertainty, with growth projected between 0. 9% and 1. 6%, inflation rising to 3. 5%, and unemployment stubbornly high at 33. 2%, South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are proving to be a beacon of resilience, innovation, and job creation. Five trailblazing entrepreneurs are demonstrating how ingenuity and unconventional leadership can drive success against the odds. Honoured at the 37th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards, these innovators are transforming the nation’s economy one breakthrough at a time. Aphiwe Khambule’s path to becoming South Africa’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year® didn’t follow a traditional route. Before becoming Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Funeral Services, she worked in fashion, digital media, and travel operations. But it was witnessing her father, Mduduzi, serve families during their most vulnerable moments that shaped her purpose. “I saw the compassion, the late nights, the quiet strength it takes to bring comfort when people need it most,” she reflects. Now leading the second generation of a family business disrupting a R10 billion industry, Khambule has introduced the MYPrestige Rewards programme, offering policyholders benefits like airtime, grocery vouchers, and free career, legal, and medical support. She has also expanded into financial services, recognising that families need more than just a casket; they need options, breathing space, and support. Khambule shares the spotlight with four other entrepreneurs who are reshaping South Africa’s business... - Published: 2025-11-05 - Modified: 2025-11-24 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/funeral-industry-innovator-named-sas-2025-entrepreneur-of-the-year/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases South Africa’s funeral industry is valued at over R10 billion yet remains one of the country’s least digitised sectors. In this landscape, Aphiwe Khambule is proving that even the most established industries can be transformed from within. Before joining her family business, 21st Century Funerals, Khambule worked as a fashion and beauty editor, in digital media, and in travel. Watching her father, Mduduzi, support families during vulnerable moments inspired her. “I saw the compassion, the late nights, the quiet strength it takes to bring comfort when people need it most,” she reflects. Today, as the winner of the 2025 Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® award, Khambule is redefining what funeral cover means for families. She has injected the business with the vibrancy and creativity she gained from her years in fashion, bringing a fresh perspective to the industry.  A modern funeral service exists not only to provide support, emotionally, socially, and financially, but to help families celebrate a life well lived,” she explains. Under her leadership, the company launched MYPrestige Rewards, a loyalty programme providing healthcare discounts, education support, airtime, and grocery vouchers. Khambule is also tackling systemic issues, running learnerships that address unemployment and leading projects to mitigate South Africa’s cemetery shortage. For her, innovation isn’t about abandoning tradition, it’s about honouring it while meeting modern needs. David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, says: “Aphiwe Khambule personifies the future of South African business, where leaders see their companies not just as commercial... - Published: 2025-11-04 - Modified: 2025-11-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sme-confidence-lifts-amid-global-pressures-as-businesses-pin-hopes-on-madlanga-commission/ - Categories: Business Tips South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are cautiously optimistic that the newly established Madlanga Commission will mark a turning point in the fight against corruption and crime – long seen as one of the greatest barriers to doing business in the country. This is according to Quarter 2 2025 SME Confidence Index by Business Partners Limited, which shows a slight improvement in overall confidence across most indicators compared to the previous quarter. When asked specifically about the Madlanga Commission, 56. 82% of SMEs said they believe it will help dismantle entrenched crime syndicates and lead to a meaningful reduction in crime across the country. “Crime continues to drain resources, disrupt operations, and raise the cost of doing business for small businesses,” says Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited. “SMEs lose out on procurement opportunities because they may not have the 'right connections’, which directly impacts their profitability and sustainability. Similar to business owners, our hope is that this commission will expose the networks behind criminal activities and lead to stronger enforcement. ” President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to establish the commission in response to General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s revelations has been interpreted by many SMEs as a renewed commitment to transparency and reform. Lang says this signal of political will is encouraging for business owners who have long called for more decisive action to improve law and order. Hopeful confidence amid GNU uncertainty While disagreements within the Government of National Unity (GNU) raised questions about its stability, most SMEs... - Published: 2025-11-04 - Modified: 2025-11-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/pr-vs-marketing-how-can-pr-elevate-your-small-business/ - Categories: Business Tips Public relations (PR) and marketing are often terms that are used interchangeably. In business, both functions are critical in building a successful brand. This makes understanding the difference between them difficult, especially for small business owners. However, these functions serve different purposes and understanding the difference can be a game-changer for growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The rising implementation of PR by businesses is becoming more evident across Africa. Recent research by the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) found that 38% of business leaders now rely more heavily on PR counsel, a 31% increase from 2024. Although sometimes the objectives, goals, and even some tactics used in PR and marketing may be closely related, marketing is all about promoting products and driving sales, while PR focuses on shaping your business’ reputation and building trust with your targeted audience. For SMEs, this is particularly important as a strong reputation can open doors, attract partners, and create long-term customer loyalty. Here’s how PR can elevate your small business and why it should complement your marketing efforts: Build credibility and trust Marketing messages and campaigns can tell people why they should buy your products or use your services, but PR shows them why they can trust you. PR efforts such as positive media coverage and thought leadership pieces help position your business as a credible player in your sector. If people see you as reliable, knowledgeable, and ethical, that could turn hesitant prospects... - Published: 2025-11-04 - Modified: 2025-11-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/purpose-pays-how-young-entrepreneurs-can-build-businesses-with-impact/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases There used to be a common misconception that doing good and doing well were mutually exclusive in business. However, as an impact investor, Business Partners Limited has long embraced the dual mandate of driving financial performance while creating meaningful social impact. Now a report by Deloitte puts that to rest once and for all, proving that companies who are leading with purpose consistently outperform their peers across key financial and operational indicators. Deloitte’s research found that purpose-driven firms achieve what it calls a “purpose premium” – a measurable advantage across six drivers of long-term value: brand and reputation, sales and innovation, capital access, operational efficiency, talent, and risk mitigation. High-purpose brands, for instance, recorded nearly a 20-percentage point premium in annualised shareholder returns compared to those with low purpose scores, and achieved faster market-value growth – sometimes up to four times faster. But while the world’s biggest corporations are formalising purpose strategies, the real opportunity may lie with smaller, more agile businesses. For SMEs still defining their identity and long-term vision, integrating purpose from the start can help differentiate in crowded markets, attract customers and capital, and build resilience through economic uncertainty. The business case for purpose Deloitte’s analysis is unequivocal: purpose drives performance. Nearly 80% of consumers are more likely to remember and trust brands that exhibit a strong sense of purpose, while brands with a clear social or environmental mission are six times more likely to be protected in the face of negative publicity. Purpose also directly influences... - Published: 2025-10-16 - Modified: 2025-10-16 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/daring-to-dream-big-the-engineering-small-business-that-has-gone-global/ - Categories: Client Stories While most entrepreneurs typically start their businesses in their late thirties, after first spending years learning the ins and outs of an industry by working for someone else, especially before venturing out into a world as difficult as mining. But not Les-Lee Thompson, who after just four years of working as a chemical engineer started Chimerical Technology. The Somerset-West-based entrepreneur’s first client was a uranium mine in Kazakhstan, where she introduced an innovative new method of recovering chemicals from water used to process uranium ore. In certain ways Chimerical Technology’s birth was charmed. Les-Lee started the Kazakhstan project while she worked, “at the feet of the masters,” she says, for the engineering giant Aveng. As part of a major restructuring of the company, the plug was pulled on the Kazakhstan project. “I was heart-broken,” says Les-Lee, who had been tremendously excited at the prospect of seeing some of her first engineering solutions implemented. Fortunately, the client was keen on having the project continue, and Aveng gave Les-Lee the green light to take it over independently. Just like that, Chimerical Technology was born overnight, with its employees, premises and first international client already set up. But looking back on that moment a decade later, Les-Lee can see what a bold leap of faith it was, one that set the stage for a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Devising a chemical engineering solution in the lab is one thing, implementing it in an operational mine is enormously risky, and that is just the engineering... - Published: 2025-10-16 - Modified: 2025-10-16 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/in-cape-towns-packed-tourism-scene-guest-house-finds-its-place-with-golf/ - Categories: Client Stories When Jolyon Proudman and Heike Lührmann started La Roche Guesthouse in a leafy street in the coastal Cape Town suburb of Milnerton twenty years ago, there was only one nearby guest house. Today, there are no fewer than 14 guest houses in Milnerton, and a whopping 25 000 rooms throughout Cape Town listed on Airbnb that did not even exist at that time. The tourism sector in South Africa has seen steady growth over the past two decades, with 2 million overseas visitors in 2005 versus 2,4 million in 2019 (excluding mainland visitors from Africa). Despite this growth, it is clear that competition within the tourism industry has intensified significantly. Apart from the basic principles of maintaining a high standard of service, one important way to thrive in such a cut-throat environment is to specialise, as Jolyon and Heike’s business clearly illustrates. At La Roche Guest House’s the primary clientele during the summer months, are German golfers seeking to escape the northern hemisphere’s winter and enjoy South Africa’s world-class golf courses. Both these specialities are deeply rooted in the personal journey of its founders, and of how Jolyon and Heike started La Roche Guesthouse. Jolyon, who grew up on a farm in the Eastern Cape, developed a passion for golf early on and eventually became a professional golfer. His career took him to Europe, especially Germany, where he worked as a golf instructor during the European summer and led golf tours to South Africa for the rest of the year.... - Published: 2025-10-16 - Modified: 2025-10-16 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/the-weakest-link-in-a-businesss-computer-system-is-not-where-you-think-it-is/ - Categories: Business Tips, Media Centre, Media Releases The number one threat in the online security of businesses in South Africa is not in their computer systems, but in the mind of the business owner, says Faiez Hartley, head of IT at Business Partners Limited. The good news is that with a relatively minor mind shift and the implementation of a few basic cybersecurity measures, South African businesses can dramatically decrease the threat they face from cyber criminals. The problem, says Faiez, is that business owners tend to think mistakenly that their business is too small to be the target of a cyberattack. In fact, almost half of all incidents of ransomware attacks, cyberfraud, and cybertheft of money and information are aimed at small businesses. With the advent of artificial intelligence tools, cybercrime aimed at small businesses is set to rise, says Faiez. While AI helps to automate many legitimate business processes, cybercriminals are leveraging the same technology to automate and amplify their attacks, broadening the range of the businesses they target. The first and most important step towards a safer business on the internet is awareness. Business owners must understand just how vulnerable their own business can be in the digital space. This does not require extensive research or sleepless nights, it simply calls for the knowledge and recognition that cybercrime is a real and growing threat, and that any business with an internet connection is a potential target. Think of it like the vehicles of a business. Business owners don’t send their cars on the road... - Published: 2025-10-16 - Modified: 2025-10-16 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/bosss-day-is-due-for-a-rethink-lets-celebrate-leadership-not-just-titles/ - Categories: Business Tips Every year on 16 October, many business owners and leaders find themselves awkwardly accepting cards or gifts from their teams in celebrating Boss’s Day, which is a tradition that started in the United States in 1958 and has since quickly spread to many countries, including South Africa. While the gesture is often rooted in goodwill and an effort to build and foster a positive workplace culture, the concept is in need of a serious revamp, says Jeremy Lang, managing director of Business Partners Limited. Boss’s Day reflects an era when organisations were far more hierarchical and regimented, says Jeremy. In today’s world of work, organisations are more collaborative and less defined by rigid power structures. Employees are much more autonomous, empowered with decision-making responsibility and encouraged to contribute meaningfully to team outcomes. The emphasis in modern work environments has shifted from command-and-control leadership to mutual respect, teamwork and shared responsibility. Celebrating leadership should reflect these values, the role of leaders in enabling and supporting their teams rather than on following of orders. In today’s workplace culture, the notion of Boss’s Day seems outdated. Much more appropriate would be to foster appreciation throughout all levels of the organisation - from managers recognising their teams, employees acknowledging their leaders and colleagues celebrating each other. The focus should shift from hierarchical authority to honouring collaboration, mutual respect and shared leadership. “Today’s workplaces thrive in organisations with an ethos of inclusion and equity, where recognition is shared fairly and generously. Singling out the boss... - Published: 2025-10-15 - Modified: 2025-10-15 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/celebrating-sas-real-mvps/ - Categories: Business Tips Every year on 16 October, Boss’s Day gives employees an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the people who lead them for their support. But in South Africa, there’s a category of bosses who deserve more than just a thank-you card from their teams – the small and medium enterprise (SME) owners. These are the leaders who collectively contribute a third of the country’s GDP and employ over 60% of the workforce. While large corporate CEOs may make more headlines, there is a lot we can also learn from the small business bosses. Here’s why: They often prioritise purpose over profit For most SME owners, the motivation to start a business goes beyond financial gain. Many are driven by a desire to solve a problem, support their community, or build something lasting. This sense of purpose gives their leadership authenticity – a quality that inspires employees and earns customer loyalty. Purpose-led leadership is increasingly recognised as a competitive advantage. In uncertain times, it anchors teams and keeps them focused on long-term goals. Small business bosses, who often have a direct and personal connection to their mission, exemplify this naturally. They are masters of adaptability If the last few years have taught local business owners anything, it’s that adaptability is the ultimate survival skill. From navigating load shedding and rising costs to tariffs and macroeconomic volatility, small business leaders have had to pivot constantly – and fast. Fortunately, unlike large corporations bogged down by internal bureaucracy, SMEs are nimble by nature. A... - Published: 2025-10-13 - Modified: 2025-10-13 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/sas-economic-drivers-15-business-owners-vie-for-the-2025-entrepreneur-of-the-year-title/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases As South Africa grapples with modest growth and high unemployment, entrepreneurs are stepping up as job creators and economic drivers. The easing of inflation to three-year lows, combined with steady recovery in key sectors like manufacturing and trade, is providing entrepreneurs with a more stable foundation for growth, as demonstrated by the 15 finalists in the 37th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. “These entrepreneurs represent the forward momentum of South Africa's economy,” says David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited. “They're not just building successful businesses; they're creating jobs, driving innovation, and positioning South Africa as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence. ” This year’s cohort is defined by several key trends: women entrepreneurs are in the clear majority (10 of 15), many of them succeeding in male-dominated industries like mining and construction. While entrepreneurial success is concentrated in the economic hubs of Gauteng (8) and the Western Cape (4), there is also representation from KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Tech and ICT have emerged as dominant growth sectors, balanced by a strong showing from industries as diverse as biotech, professional services, hospitality, and apparel. The finalists in the competition’s three categories are: Emerging Entrepreneur - awarded to an entrepreneur who has operated their business for one to five years: Lebohang Madubanya - Future Nurses Nursing School, a private nursing higher education institution. Prof Monique Zaahl - GENEdiagnostics, a genetic testing, research, and training business. Thandiwe Shema - Jalusi Corporation, an enterprise co-developing solutions... - Published: 2025-10-13 - Modified: 2025-10-13 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/stronger-minds-stronger-businesses-why-entrepreneurs-need-mental-mentors/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Running a business is often portrayed as a path to independence and success. But behind the scenes, many entrepreneurs are quietly battling overwhelming levels of stress. In a survey of more than 400 early-stage startup founders, 72% reported that entrepreneurship has impacted their mental health, with 37% suffering from anxiety. “Long working hours, the isolation of leadership, and the constant pressure to keep a business afloat can take a heavy toll,” says Amogelang Montane, Human Resources Business Partner at Business Partners Limited. “And when stress levels rise unchecked, the ability to think clearly, make sound decisions, and lead effectively can become compromised, threatening the survival of the business itself, which is why we would advocate for a mental mentor in your business success toolkit. ” Coping mechanisms matter Entrepreneurship demands grit and resilience, but even the most seasoned business leaders rely on practical strategies to manage pressure. Montane notes that while there is no one-size-fits-all solution, several approaches can make a meaningful difference. These include setting clear boundaries to avoid overwork, prioritising rest and physical activity, and building strong support networks to reduce isolation. Alongside these strategies, one approach is emerging as particularly effective: mental mentorship. “We are increasingly recognising the role of mental mentors – individuals who provide guidance, perspective and emotional support beyond traditional business advice. Just as entrepreneurs turn to financial mentors for help with capital or growth strategies, they can lean on mental mentors to strengthen their psychological wellbeing,” Montane explains. What is a mental mentor?... - Published: 2025-10-06 - Modified: 2025-10-06 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/infrastructure-the-missing-link-in-south-africas-sme-growth-story/ - Categories: Business Tips, Media Centre, Media Releases As South Africa marks Transport Month, the country’s infrastructure challenges continue to pose serious barriers to the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For years, frequent load shedding and poor internet access have disrupted operations and reduced productivity, while inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure delay supply chains and increase costs. Veroshen Naidoo, chief investment officer at Business Partners Limited, notes that although Eskom has made significant progress in addressing load shedding this year, the other constraints continue to not only hinder day-to-day business activities; they also contribute to high failure rates and stifle much-needed broader economic development. “Poor or inadequate infrastructure steadily increases the cost of doing business and erodes competitiveness to the point of closure for some businesses,” he says. “The knock-on effects of this are significant, especially in a low-growth economy where margins are already under severe strain. ” A recent Small Business Growth Index revealed that more than half of South Africa’s SMEs (55. 3%) may not survive the next year without urgent support. Rising expenses are a major factor: transport costs are up by 60. 9%, utilities by 56. 9%, and raw materials by 52. 9%. Much of this price volatility stems from infrastructure inefficiencies – from congested and hazardous roads with potholes and sinkholes, to unreliable water supply, particularly in Gauteng, inflating utility bills and logistics bottlenecks affecting material costs. Fortunately, the government has acknowledged the magnitude of this issue. In his 2025 budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated R1 trillion... - Published: 2025-10-01 - Modified: 2025-10-01 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/a-time-for-renewal-how-smes-can-streamline-processes-for-a-more-seamless-operation/ - Categories: Business Tips As a small to medium business (SME) owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook the little operational inefficiencies that can ultimately stifle your long-term growth. With Spring officially underway here in South Africa, it’s the perfect opportunity for renewal – not just on a personal level, but professionally too. Just like the ritual of spring cleaning your home, why not commit to streamlining your processes – decluttering the various operational inefficiencies that slow you down, drain resources, and keep your business from reaching its full potential? Here’s where to start: Conduct a business process audit Take a hard look at your operations. Which tasks take too long? Where do bottlenecks occur? The best way to do this is to gather input from employees, as those on the ground often know exactly where inefficiencies lie. Prioritise the areas that impact customers directly, such as invoicing, delivery, or customer service. Once identified, set measurable goals to improve these processes – whether that’s reducing turnaround times, cutting redundant steps, or leveraging automation. Streamline communication channels Communication is the backbone of any business, but too many tools or unclear processes can create confusion. Decide on a central platform for internal communication and encourage consistent use across your teams. For external communication, standardise customer touchpoints so clients know exactly how and where to reach you. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of missed messages and duplicated work. Incorporate predictive, rather than proactive, maintenance Whether you... - Published: 2025-10-01 - Modified: 2025-10-01 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/common-legal-mistakes-smes-make-and-how-to-avoid-them/ - Categories: Business Tips Legal matters can be confusing within the business landscape and particularly so for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). From contract drafting to intellectual property protection, doing business in accordance with the law can be complex. Mistakes can be costly and can even lead to more serious consequences, such as significant financial loss or business closure. For example, in 2019, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) revealed that 80% of its cases were from small businesses. This statistic highlights the significant legal and compliance challenges faced by SMEs – challenges that can lead to costly financial setbacks for businesses. Too often, SMEs fall outside of compliance not due to negligence but simply because they are unaware of essential legal requirements involved in running a formal business. This lack of awareness can expose them to unnecessary risks and hinder their growth potential. While large companies have the advantage of access to specialist in-house counsel, most SMEs scrape by with minimal resources, seeking advice from unverified online sources, or well-meaning friends or family. This approach can lead to difficulties that impact profit, spark internal disputes, or even threaten the business’s survival. It is necessary to be aware of these traps and to steer clear of them to succeed in the long run. These are five common legal mistakes SMEs make and what they should do instead to avoid running into any legal issues: Forgetting about formal contracts Most small entrepreneurs think that an email, text or word-of-mouth agreement is sufficient. Without... - Published: 2025-10-01 - Modified: 2025-10-01 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/saving-strategies-for-smes-cutting-costs-without-cutting-corners/ - Categories: Business Tips For many South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economic conditions in the country have pushed profitability to a critical point. Under these challenging conditions, a recent Small Business Growth Index reveals that more than half of local SMEs are at risk of closure within the next year. The pressure to cut costs has never been greater, but this doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. In fact, some of the most effective cost-saving strategies are those that improve efficiency, allowing you to do more with less while maintaining quality and productivity. Here are five practical strategies to consider: Embrace technology and automation Technology is one of the most powerful levers for cost-efficient growth. Automating routine tasks like invoicing, payroll, and inventory management can save hours of manual work each week. This enables employees to focus on higher-value activities that directly drive revenue. Cloud-based tools also reduce the need for expensive hardware and maintenance. From affordable accounting software to project management platforms, there are solutions tailored to businesses of every size. The upfront investment may feel significant, but with the right tools, the long-term savings and productivity gains are worth it. Optimise your workforce structure With labour often being the largest expense for SMEs, it is critical to structure your workforce efficiently. Start by mapping the skills you need to meet current and future goals. Are you carrying roles that are no longer essential, or could certain functions be outsourced more cost-effectively? Outsourcing non-core functions like IT support and HR administration... - Published: 2025-09-17 - Modified: 2025-09-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/entrepreneur-builds-a-thriving-guest-house-and-a-big-extended-family/ - Categories: Client Stories Few businesses are as all-consuming as a guest house. Take JJ Pieterse, who has built up the Ramasi Guest Services CC in Panorama, Cape Town, from scratch over two decades. Over those twenty years, JJ stayed on the property with his guests, serving them day and night, spending many days with them on tour, and seeing their children grow up as they return every year on holiday. Such a lifestyle might be too much for even the most dedicated business owner, but JJ says he loves it. Firstly, his vast network of guests is like one big extended family. “When a long-standing guest returns, it’s like welcoming a family member back home,” he says warmly. His enthusiasm for the Cape never fades, no matter how many times he takes guests on a guided tour through Cape Point or spotting whales in Hermanus, he never grows tired of it. “Each visit reveals a fresh bloom, a different bird or a new moment to treasure. From the penguins in Betty’s Bay to the vineyards of the winelands, how could anyone tire of such a wonderful province? ” says the 73-year-old entrepreneur. JJ started his career as a computer pioneer, learning to program for mainframes in the 1970s and eventually founding his own tech agency specialising in computer hardware and storage solutions. Even before entering the tourism industry, he was already playing the role of host and guide, inviting his corporate clients and their spouses on overseas trips to his computer suppliers, and... - Published: 2025-09-17 - Modified: 2025-09-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/playing-the-long-game-entrepreneur-fulfils-her-bright-yellow-dream/ - Categories: Client Stories Growing up poor in a small rural village in the Eastern Cape, Tuletu Kobo fixated on the dream of one day owning her own hotel. She can’t quite pinpoint what sparked it, perhaps it was the afternoons spent in the family-run businesses of her more privileged friends, or the special linen that her mother took out whenever guest visited their humble home. Whatever the source, the dream remained a burning desire early on and never stopped. Like many of her generation, Tuletu became a teacher as a way out of poverty. She taught home economics, the closest subject to hospitality, spending nearly three decades in the classroom. But her dream never faded. Alongside her teaching career, she ran countless side-hustles for extra income, each one a stepping stone towards moving closer to her dream. Today, Tuletu is a testament to what it means playing the long game in business. She is the proud owner of a chain of six guest houses in East London, all painted in the signature bright yellow of her Thule Guest House brand, offering a total of 50 rooms to guests from near and far. Her journey began with a commitment to educate herself as much as she could about the tourism industry, despite having limited resources. While still working as a teacher, she explored a variety of side-hustles, selling food, second-hand clothes and braiding hair. Each venture taught her valuable lessons about trade, customer service and financial management. But more importantly, each revealed where her... - Published: 2025-09-17 - Modified: 2025-09-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/diversification-the-best-insurance-policy-against-a-tourism-slump/ - Categories: Business Tips The Covid-19 pandemic was a brutal lesson that travelling, the lifeblood of the tourism industry, can come to an abrupt halt due to a range of unforeseen disruptions, including natural disasters such as droughts and floods, political unrest or international squabbles. Today, five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of tourism businesses that managed to survive are still struggling to make up the revenue they lost. The best insurance policy for tourism accommodation owners against disruptions such as these is diversification, says Friedrich Meisenholl, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited. Diversifying income streams can be advantageous for tourism accommodation businesses. For guest houses in particular, it presents an opportunity to break through the hard ceiling of profitability set by the number of rooms. Tapping into alternative revenue sources can help owners safeguard their bottom line against the huge increase in competition in the tourism accommodation market, a trend that has accelerated because of platforms like Airbnb. Offering a broader range of services can make a guest house more attractive, boosting occupancy rates. The key lies in reimagining the potential of your existing facilities and thinking creatively about how to utilise the environment around your establishment, says Friedrich. He lists the following practical ways guest house owners can transform their establishments into more resilient, profitable and diverse businesses: Maximise your kitchen facilities: Most guest houses have kitchen facilities that are underutilised for most of the day, especially when limited to bed-and-breakfast services. Think about how your kitchen can serve a... - Published: 2025-09-17 - Modified: 2025-09-17 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/local-is-lekker-the-business-case-for-going-local-this-heritage-day/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases Entrepreneurs who source and make local products often feel like they are competing against a global stage, even when their business only serves the local market. It is not uncommon for them to find imported products priced lower than the cost of their own raw materials. And if it isn’t the challenge of unsustainably low prices that they have to compete against, it’s the widespread perception among South Africans that many international products are better quality. Faced with these pressures many business owners may wonder if they should abandon local sourcing and production in favour of importing cheaper products or raw materials? Absolutely not, says Buntu Mjindi, senior investment officer at Business Partners Limited. Producing and buying locally is too important for our economic development, and besides, there are clear business advantages in developing a local supply chain for your business, he says. The build up to Heritage Day presents a good opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase the value and benefits of sourcing locally produced goods. Heritage Month is worthy of reflecting on the economic and social benefits of supporting local supply chains. When products are made locally it strengthens local jobs in factories and retailers, stimulates consumer spending within communities and fosters a sense of pride and community cohesion that strengthen the broader economy. However, for many business owners, patriotic sentiment alone means very little, especially to the harsh reality of competing with half-priced imports. Fortunately, says Buntu, there are compelling business arguments in favour of investing in local... - Published: 2025-09-09 - Modified: 2025-09-09 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/mastering-the-art-of-business-negotiation-for-smes/ - Categories: Business Tips In business, few skills are as universally valuable as the ability to negotiate well. Whether you’re securing better payment terms from a supplier, finalising a contract with a new client, or discussing equity with an investor, strong negotiation skills can directly affect your bottom line. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where margins are often tighter and resources more limited, every negotiation counts. Yet many business owners approach these discussions with hesitation, unsure of how to balance firmness with flexibility, or how to push for favourable terms without jeopardising relationships. The good news is that negotiation is not an innate talent; it’s a skill that can be learned, practised, and refined over time. By understanding the core principles and applying them consistently, SME owners can secure outcomes that strengthen their businesses while fostering trust and long-term partnerships. Here are five strategies to help you master the art of negotiation: Prepare like a professional Successful negotiations begin long before you sit down at the table. This means researching the other party’s needs, challenges, and priorities, as well as having a clear understanding of your own position. If you’re negotiating with a supplier, know their pricing structures, market trends, and offers from their competitors. If you’re dealing with a potential client, it’s important to understand their industry pressures and what value you bring that others might not. Preparation also means anticipating objections and having persuasive responses ready. Focus on mutual value, not just winning A common mistake in negotiation is treating it... - Published: 2025-09-04 - Modified: 2025-09-04 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/using-technology-to-streamline-operations-and-improve-efficiency/ - Categories: Business Tips For local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is a constant pressure to do more with less, which means finding smart ways to cut costs, save time and boost productivity. In this context, technology is one of the most powerful levers available to business owners. When used effectively, digital tools can automate manual or repetitive tasks, enhance customer service, and free up valuable capacity to focus on growth. Despite this fact, less than 30% of South African SMEs have adopted digital tools. Whether this is due to cost concerns or uncertainty about which solutions will deliver the most impact, the slow uptake could severely undermine local competitiveness in the long run. The good news is that many affordable, practical options are available to help SMEs begin their digital journey. Here are a few starting points: Automate administrative and repetitive tasks Time spent on manual paperwork, invoicing, data entry or stocktaking is time not spent on growing the business. Cloud-based accounting software like Xero and Sage can automate invoicing, track expenses and generate real-time financial reports, while inventory management tools can help monitor stock levels and optimise ordering cycles. Even small tweaks – like using scheduling tools to plan meetings or free email automation software to confirm appointments – can save hours each week. Embrace cloud storage and collaboration tools Moving operations to the cloud allows business owners and teams to access files, documents and systems from anywhere. Tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 allow for real-time collaboration, document sharing... - Published: 2025-08-26 - Modified: 2025-08-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/turning-crisis-into-capital-how-one-training-business-is-empowering-entrepreneurs/ - Categories: Client Stories Sherene Anandham had worked her way up in the corporate world from shop assistant to group financial manager when the blatant structural unfairness still facing female executives in South Africa’s corporate sector finally became intolerable. At the end of 2019, she made a decision to resign from her corporate position without any preparation of what lies ahead. Her decision came from experiencing overwhelming constraints between work, family and her commitment to ad-hoc clients she attended to after hours. She knew that her valuable knowledge, skills and experience will support her decision to drive her entrepreneurial passion. Today Sherene runs a consultancy, Empower You SA, aimed at training and supporting emerging entrepreneurs, and The Good Accountant, an accounting practice, from her own premises in Randburg recently bought with the help of commercial property finance from Business Partners Limited. Apart from her deep financial and management skills, Sherene’s ability to support small growing businesses was enriched by her own start-up experience. Like so many entrepreneurs, Sherene’s business formed out of her side-hustle: a handful of clients whose books she kept over weekends while she climbed the corporate ladder. It was the constant requests from businesses for her to take on their books that gave her the confidence that she could build a successful accounting practice if she focused on it full-time. At first her confidence was deeply shaken by a massive unexpected blow; she had resigned no less than three months before the countries first Covid-19 lockdown. “I thought, ‘oh my goodness,... - Published: 2025-08-26 - Modified: 2025-08-27 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/from-inclusive-to-profitable-8-ways-to-support-women-at-work/ - Categories: Business Tips Women’s Month presents a uniquely South African opportunity for business owners to reflect on one of the most important competitive advantages discovered in recent years. There is strong scientific consensus that businesses with diverse workplaces are more innovative and profitable than those with homogenous teams, says Kgomotso Ramoenyane, executive general manager: human resources at Business Partners Limited. A key feature of diversity in the workplace is a balance between the number of male and female workers. Research shows that the introduction of just a few women in traditionally male dominated work teams can have a positive effect on the flow of ideas, decision making and customer service of a business. Changing the composition of a team can be a slow and frustrating process for business owners navigating recruitment in a country where skills are scarce. The key is to set it as a strategic goal, says Kgomotso. By doing so, business owners can explore a variety of targeted tactics to attract and retain excellent female talent, including: Foster a culture of work-life balance: research shows that in most parts of the world, and certainly in South Africa, women often shoulder the majority of household work and childcare responsibilities. This imbalance is unfair and has real implications; many women are under immense pressure to leave work promptly in order to manage duties at home. Creating a supportive workplace that recognizes and respects this reality, will make your business more attractive to female talent but also foster stability and high productivity. Offer... - Published: 2025-08-22 - Modified: 2025-08-26 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/drilling-into-opportunity-and-tackling-mining-one-rig-at-a-time/ - Categories: Client Stories Zanele Nkosi never imagined she’d one day be running a drilling company, breaking new ground, literally and figuratively in the male dominated South African mining industry. Yet in just five years, the 33 year old founder of Wellex Drilling, the only known women-owned drilling company in South Africa has built a reputation as one of the country’s most determined junior mining contractors, recently securing a landmark exploration contract in Namibia. After matriculating in Ulundi, where she was born and raised, Zanele studied human resources with the aim of joining the corporate world. But during her internship in KwaZulu-Natal, she came across a farming operation that sparked a deep interest in agriculture. Inspired by what she saw she enrolled in an agriculture degree through UNISA and vowed that she would become a farmer one day. While working in HR at a hospital group, Zanele made the decision to move to Johannesburg to join her life partner, a young entrepreneur hustling and trying to make a name for himself in the mining industry. At first Zanele tried to look for a job, but the move, her partner’s involvement in mining, and her growing interest in agriculture began to shift her perspective on her career path. Among other things, she purchased coal mining rights to a farm in KwaZulu-Natal with the hope of raising additional finance. Her breakthrough came unexpectedly while visiting her partner’s childhood village in Limpopo when she saw a contractor try to drill a borehole but failed to find water,... - Published: 2025-08-22 - Modified: 2025-08-22 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/womens-month-celebrating-progress-inspiring-possibility/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases When René Botha, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, reflects on her career spanning over two decades, she sees remarkable transformation in the role and recognition of women, not only in the company, but across South Africa’s broader business landscape. For one thing, there were no female operational senior managers at Business Partners Limited back in 2005, until René broke new ground by becoming the first. Two decades later, the company has made notable progress, with more women in senior and middle management positions. This upward trend is also mirrored in Business Partners Limited’s lending activity to entrepreneurs. In 2010, 31,5 percent of the total value of transactions disbursed were to female entrepreneurs. Fast forward to 2025 and the figure has risen to 43,6 percent. René believes that the same improvement in empowering women is not only limited to Business Partners Limited but taking place across many sectors in South Africa. But does this mean the hurdles to women’s entry into the mainstream economy have disappeared? Not quite, says René. Many challenges persist. Women have always carried the brunt of majority of the childcare and housekeeping responsibilities, even as full-time workers. Deep rooted gender stereotypes still influence perceptions of certain jobs, roles like doctors are often seen as male, while nurses are viewed as female. In entrepreneurship women traditionally focused on generating income to support their families, while men sought wealth creation. When it comes to accessing business finance, women entrepreneurs always face disadvantages due to having fewer assets... - Published: 2025-08-22 - Modified: 2025-08-22 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/five-tips-for-opening-and-running-a-hospitality-business-in-2025/ - Categories: Business Tips As South Africa gears up to host the G20 Leaders Summit in November – the first ever on African soil – the spotlight on our hospitality sector has never been brighter. The event is expected to generate over R1,2 billion in direct tourism revenue, putting local hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to the test on a global stage. The stakes are high, but so is the potential. For entrepreneurs ready to seize the opportunity, here are five practical tips for launching or running a hospitality business in South Africa - guidance that will serve you well in 2025 and beyond. Invest in your digital presence With 66% of hotel bookings now made online, having a compelling, visible digital profile should be at the top of your priorities. You can strengthen your online presence by showcasing seasonal offerings and unique experiences, encouraging guests to share reviews, and running targeted promotions, such as G20-themed packages or weekend escape deals. In today’s digitally driven world, strong online visibility not only boosts discovery but also keeps your business top of mind for both local and international travellers. Prepare for surges and seasonality An international forum like the G20 will drive a significant spike in accommodation and restaurant demand, but maintaining high standards through quieter months is what builds long-term guest loyalty. In Cape Town, for example, hotel occupancy was around 53% in June 2023, climbing to a full house by December. Plan ahead by improving infrastructure during quiet periods and use downtime to stay on... - Published: 2025-08-22 - Modified: 2025-08-22 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/supporting-young-business-owners-the-power-of-intergenerational-collaboration-in-small-business-innovation/ - Categories: Business Tips Youth unemployment in South Africa is at concerning levels, with the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Stats SA revealing that the youth unemployment rate has risen to 46,1% in 2025. That’s about 4,8 million young people without work, similiar to the previous quarter. But in this bleak environment, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain a beacon of hope, not only as potential employers, but as launchpads for the country’s next generation of entrepreneurs. As we look for solutions to this, it’s worth considering how small businesses can support young business owners, and how intergenerational collaboration can drive both innovation and resilience. Small businesses that intentionally create space for younger voices and ideas are often the ones that remain most adaptable in the face of change. When younger and older generations work together, they can combine the best of both worlds: deep operational experience and fresh thinking. In my years at Business Partners Limited, I have witnessed the value of these partnerships first-hand. Older entrepreneurs often bring business acumen, customer insights, financial discipline and a long-term perspective. Younger entrepreneurs bring innovation, agility, and the ability to quickly test and scale new ideas – particularly in areas like ecommerce, social media, technology and green business. This type of collaboration doesn’t require a formal partnership. It could be as simple as a business owner inviting a younger team member to contribute to strategy sessions, or providing informal mentoring to an emerging founder in their network. The point is to build bridges between... - Published: 2025-08-08 - Modified: 2025-08-08 - URL: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/bridging-the-gender-finance-gap-in-south-african-entrepreneurship/ - Categories: Media Centre, Media Releases New research from Mastercard reveals that 57% of South African women identify as entrepreneurs, surpassing the regional average of 51% across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA). These women entrepreneurs are a vital part of South Africa’s economic engine, and yet, many face funding barriers that limit their potential. This is according to Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager: Marketing at Business Partners Limited, who believes that targeted support for women-led businesses is essential to close the country’s gender finance gap. “Too many women-led businesses are underfunded and underserved, often because traditional financiers have not adapted their models to meet the unique realities that women entrepreneurs face,” she says. “This includes that many women bootstrap their businesses in initial stages and delay applying for finance making it sometimes challenging for financiers to assess their applications accurately. Some are navigating male-dominated industries, or working to expand legacy businesses started under extremely difficult socio-economic conditions. ” Financiers like Business Partners Limited play an important role in shifting this landscape. The company’s steadfast commitment to inclusive access to finance is clearly demonstrated by the significant growth in its support to women entrepreneurs. In the 2025 financial year, disbursements to women-owned businesses accounted for an impressive 43,6 percent of the total disbursements - up from 31,2 percent in the 2024 financial year - highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to empower women and foster equitable economic participation. “Through funding solutions and non-financial support tailored to women-owned businesses, we’re committed to unlocking untapped entrepreneurial potential,”...