Apiculture or beekeeping is a new initiative in Swaziland, aimed at improving livelihoods for rural people. There is a potential for growth in the industry, but the question is, “are the rural beekeepers gaining from this opportunity?” The aim of this study was to highlight business challenges that hinder rural beekeepers from exploiting the industry opportunities. In order to ascertain the challenges faced by the beekeepers, a sample of farmers from Northern Hhohho, Swaziland was studied. A probability sample of 41 rural beekeepers was drawn from a population size of 384 beekeepers. The sample composed of 58.5% females and 41.5% males, with a majority of them, 29.3% falling between the ages of 31 – 40 years. Results of the study show that 53.7% of the respondents relied solely on beekeeping as their source of income, or livelihood. Northern Hhohho was chosen because of its natural vegetation and climate, which makes the area conducive for beekeeping. It is also a predominantly rural area. Data was collected through a questionnaire, developed for this research and administered to the beekeepers in that area. The study revealed that lack of input resources and an unstructured industry are the reasons for failure of the business ventures. A salient point is the lack of entrepreneurial skills of the beekeepers. It is recommended that, improving entrepreneurial skills, for the SMME beekeepers and Swaziland government intervention in facilitating input resources could benefit the rural beekeepers, in terms of ensuring sustainability of their business. This would create value for both beekeepers and the Swaziland economy. / MBA. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2011.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation. Johannesburg, 2016 / With a struggling economy characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment, it makes sense that Swaziland should prioritise the growth of new ventures in a bid to foster economic growth through ensuring accelerated SME growth. However, the country’s SME policy notes significant problems which hinder venture growth, particularly pertaining to SMEs access to finance, markets, entrepreneurship education and training, as well as business support programmes, business regulation and contract enforcement. This study seeks to evaluate the impact these factors have on the growth of SMEs in a bid to ascertain the extent of this impact, and further to make recommendations on how the rhetoric and practice of entrepreneurship can be shaped to foster high growth entrepreneurship within this milieu. This is done based on an analysis of data collected through a quantitative survey conducted amongst SMEs incubated within the country’s only public incubator, SEDCO. The findings are drawn from a correlation and multiple regression analysis, with the latter aiming to ascertain causality between these conditions and venture growth. Through this, the study found that the variables of access to finance, markets, education and training, business support programmes, business regulation and contract enforcement are significant predictors of venture growth, thus more needs to be done to ensure that inefficiencies within these are addressed to bolster levels of SME growth. The study contributes theoretically to the entrepreneurial landscape in that it comes at a point where there is no current research assessing the enablers and inhibitors of venture growth within Swaziland. It is of further practical significance in that it broaches the subject of high growth entrepreneurship in an environment laden with necessity, survivalist entrepreneurs whilst it is the former that is perceived to have a significant impact on the economy. / MT2016