Worldwide, women entrepreneurs play a major role in the economic growth and development of any nation, yet women are still facing a multiplicity of challenges in the small business sector. Women entrepreneurs could play a more significant role in the small business sector given all the necessary support. The main objective of this study was to review the South African government initiatives that were designed to stimulate women entrepreneurship during 1995 to 2009. This topic is exploratory as well as descriptive in nature. As a result of this, qualitative and quantitative data was collected in order to address the research objectives of the study. A non probability sampling technique, known as snowballing was used to identify the research participants. The sample for the study was made up of two different groups of participants; namely women entrepreneurs and experts from the field of entrepreneurship. Data was analysed using content analysis. Although content analysis is often used for analysing qualitative data, it has a limitation in that it sometimes fails to interpret delicate and intricate texts (Denscombe, 2003:221). Because of this limitation, Kruskal Wallis and Chi square tests were used in order to complement content analysis. These two data analysis tools were adopted because of the non parametric nature of the research data. The main limitation of the study was that primary data was collected in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal due to limited resources. In addition to this, the sampling technique used has a disadvantage in that the results of the research cannot be generalized to the population at large. However, the empirical results in conjunction with the literature review could assist in policy evaluation of the initiatives that could stimulate the development of women entrepreneurs in this country to a higher level. The empirical findings of the study revealed that women entrepreneurs are still experiencing a lot of barriers to entry into the small business sector such as access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial training and lack of information, just to mention a few. The results also revealed that the government support programmes are failing to address the barriers to entry that women are experiencing in the small business sector. In as much as the government is making progress in providing support programmes towards women entrepreneurship, the empirical findings also revealed that the majority of women entrepreneurs are not aware of the available support programmes that are targeting them. Lack of awareness of the available government initiatives was cited as the major reason why women are not benefiting fully from the government support programmes. Based on the research findings, it could be recommended that the government should review the current policies and programmes that are designed to assist women entrepreneurs in this country in order to evaluate the weaknesses and strengths that are inherent in the system. Future programmes should be designed based on empirical research in order to match the actual needs of women entrepreneurs in relation to the challenges that they encounter. This is crucial because women in the small business sector are a heterogeneous group with different needs and challenges. For this reason, a small business research foundation should be established with the core mandate of carrying out on-going research on the small business sector in this country. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Administration in Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Business Administration : Entrepreneurship at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Africa is estimated to have more than 66% of the world’s natural resources, it is these natural resources that are converted into products that bring about the wealth the world has. Exploitation of these abundant resources has created numerous job opportunities worldwide, yet the continent continues to reel under extreme poverty. Millions of African children die each year due to undernourishment in a continent with virgin arable land which can produce enough food to feed the world. The African continent, the world’s second largest continent in size, can be easily classified as the intensive care unit. The continent houses 1.033 billion people which is about one sixth of the world’s population. An estimated 840 million people worldwide have no food to eat, and Africa houses 223 million of this foodless population. This means that, whilst Africa gives residence to one sixth (17%) of the world population, just over one quarter (26.4%) of the world’s starving population is in the second largest continent which has two thirds (67%) of the world’s wealth in mineral resources. One third of infant deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa are caused by hunger, with 23 million school children going to school hungry. Africa needs infrastructure and institutions to help the process of development and subsequent eradication of these high levels of poverty and illiteracy on the continent. Though Africa has more arable land that can be used, 45% of African households are affected by hunger. The IMF Chief Executive Officer recommended three critical areas that will influence the economic growth and development of Africa; "Build infrastructure, build institutions, and build people." The continent must improve governance, transparency and create sound economic frameworks for growth. Today, only one in five people in Africa find work in the formal sector because of the underdevelopment and lack of industries in a continent estimated to have more than 66% of the world’s natural resources. Entrepreneurship, the panacea for the African social and economic quagmire needs to take central stage in this rich continent inhabited by chronically poor people. African academics are challenged to come to the rescue since politicians have failed the continent. If it were possible, I would lock up the academics and politicians in one room and deny them food to eat and water to drink until they found an amicable solution to the misery bedevilling the world’s richest continent. Africa is characterized by high levels of political instability emanating largely from poverty and a highly illiterate populace, in a continent with a high growth rate - this is not positive news. The political unrest in Africa is largely due to chronic adjunct poverty caused by the absence of visionary leadership, and the post-colonial Africa is merely a change of hands with maintenance of status quo. At best the leadership is known for its geocentricism and self-preservation of the old boy scouts’ mentality where they protect each other whilst the fires of poverty consume and destroy the vestiges of the little that is left of African dignity. The birth rate on the continent is 38 per every 1000 and a death rate of 14 per every 1000. Even with such a relatively small population, the continent is not able to feed itself. The unemployment levels are disturbingly high in a continent with such high birth rates. Below standard education, and continued exploitation of natural resources by external investors are part of the norms the black race has to live with. If Asian countries without mineral wealth have turned the tide of poverty, why should Africa with all the resources continue in poverty? How long will Africa continue with leaders without direction? Is it not true that ‘where there is no vision the people perish?’ The study was conducted making a comparison of two African countries (Gabon and South Africa) to try to establish the relevance of the entrepreneurship policies and programs. The research findings point out a series of policies which are not supported by other factors in relation to the ability of citizens to benefit. It concludes that there is a greater need for other programs like higher levels of education, skills training and accessibility to business funding to enable the African countries to end chronic poverty.

D.Comm. (Business Management) / The effectiveness of government policies and Programme for black women in Tshwane is investigated in this study. Five townships, Soshanguve, GaRankuwa, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Hammanskraal and Inner city were investigated by means of questionnaires. A sample of 241 black women entrepreneurs in Tshwane townships was investigated after which the results were reported. The primary objective of this study has been to investigate the extent to which black women entrepreneurs utilise government policies and Programme in Tshwane. Descriptive statistics indicated the following: 1. Information about government policies is not known by the majority of women entrepreneurs in Tshwane. 2. Local business centres are not assisting black women entrepreneurs by disseminating government policies. 3. SEDA is not effective in providing training for the SMMEs. 4. SAWEN is not effective in assisting women to start and grow their business…

O Brasil é marcado por um processo histórico de desenvolvimento concentrado nos grandes centros, o qual acaba prejudicando as cidades periféricas, um processo também observado no estado do Paraná. As desigualdades regionais se acentuaram com o processo de industrialização no estado, indicando que as políticas de atração de investimentos, especialmente na década de 1990, falharam em resolver esse problema. Para evitar o esvaziamento das cidades periféricas e o êxodo aos grandes centros, é preciso que os municípios encontrem meios próprios de se desenvolverem, e o incentivo ao empreendedorismo é considerado um caminho seguro e sustentável, que pode ser adotado pelos prefeitos como uma política pública. Este trabalho de pesquisa, de cunho exploratório, foi feito com o objetivo de identificar o ambiente institucional de fomento ao empreendedorismo nos municípios paranaenses de pequeno porte, com até 50 mil habitantes. A metodologia utilizada foi estudo de múltiplos casos, com seleção de oito municípios, dos quais quatro com maiores índices de IDH-M e quatro com os menores índices de IDH-M, cada qual dentro de um recorte por porte populacional estabelecido na metodologia. Para verificação do ambiente institucional, foi utilizado um conjunto de indicadores para avaliação dos municípios paranaenses, construído a partir da bibliografia estudada. Os resultados demonstraram que os municípios mais desenvolvidos adotam práticas semelhantes que contribuem para o fomento ao empreendedorismo. De forma a contribuir com a definição e planejamento das políticas públicas em nível local, ao fim do trabalho é apresentada uma síntese das boas práticas utilizadas pelos municípios avaliados. / Brazil has gone through a historical process of development concentrated in large urban centers, which ultimately undermine the small cities, a process also observed in the state of Paraná . Regional inequalities have widened with the process of industrialization in the state, indicating that policies to attract investments, especially in the 1990s, failed to resolve this problem. To avoid depletion of peripheral cities and the exodus to the big cities, it is necessary that municipalities find own ways to promove sustainable development. Encouraging entrepreneurship is considered a safe and sustainable alternative, which can be adopted by mayors as a public policy. This research, which is exploratory, was done with the objective of identifying the institutional environment for fostering entrepreneurship in small municipalities of Paraná, with up to 50 thousand people. The methodology used was a multiple case study, with selection of eight counties, including four with the highest IDH -M and four with the lowest levels of IDH -M, each within a cutout population size established methodologically. For verification of the institutional environment, a set of data for evaluation of municipal districts was used. The results pointed out that the most developed cities adopt similar practices that contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurship. In order to contribute to the definition and planning of public policies at the local level, a synthesis of best practices used by municipalities evaluated is presented.

O Brasil é marcado por um processo histórico de desenvolvimento concentrado nos grandes centros, o qual acaba prejudicando as cidades periféricas, um processo também observado no estado do Paraná. As desigualdades regionais se acentuaram com o processo de industrialização no estado, indicando que as políticas de atração de investimentos, especialmente na década de 1990, falharam em resolver esse problema. Para evitar o esvaziamento das cidades periféricas e o êxodo aos grandes centros, é preciso que os municípios encontrem meios próprios de se desenvolverem, e o incentivo ao empreendedorismo é considerado um caminho seguro e sustentável, que pode ser adotado pelos prefeitos como uma política pública. Este trabalho de pesquisa, de cunho exploratório, foi feito com o objetivo de identificar o ambiente institucional de fomento ao empreendedorismo nos municípios paranaenses de pequeno porte, com até 50 mil habitantes. A metodologia utilizada foi estudo de múltiplos casos, com seleção de oito municípios, dos quais quatro com maiores índices de IDH-M e quatro com os menores índices de IDH-M, cada qual dentro de um recorte por porte populacional estabelecido na metodologia. Para verificação do ambiente institucional, foi utilizado um conjunto de indicadores para avaliação dos municípios paranaenses, construído a partir da bibliografia estudada. Os resultados demonstraram que os municípios mais desenvolvidos adotam práticas semelhantes que contribuem para o fomento ao empreendedorismo. De forma a contribuir com a definição e planejamento das políticas públicas em nível local, ao fim do trabalho é apresentada uma síntese das boas práticas utilizadas pelos municípios avaliados. / Brazil has gone through a historical process of development concentrated in large urban centers, which ultimately undermine the small cities, a process also observed in the state of Paraná . Regional inequalities have widened with the process of industrialization in the state, indicating that policies to attract investments, especially in the 1990s, failed to resolve this problem. To avoid depletion of peripheral cities and the exodus to the big cities, it is necessary that municipalities find own ways to promove sustainable development. Encouraging entrepreneurship is considered a safe and sustainable alternative, which can be adopted by mayors as a public policy. This research, which is exploratory, was done with the objective of identifying the institutional environment for fostering entrepreneurship in small municipalities of Paraná, with up to 50 thousand people. The methodology used was a multiple case study, with selection of eight counties, including four with the highest IDH -M and four with the lowest levels of IDH -M, each within a cutout population size established methodologically. For verification of the institutional environment, a set of data for evaluation of municipal districts was used. The results pointed out that the most developed cities adopt similar practices that contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurship. In order to contribute to the definition and planning of public policies at the local level, a synthesis of best practices used by municipalities evaluated is presented.

Entrepreneurship education and training ensures economic development by enabling the creation of thriving new businesses and jobs by entrepreneurs. The Business Management Training Programme is tasked with training young entrepreneurs in South Africa. However, the youth unemployment rate has been exceedingly high in recent years. This study seeks to explore the implementation challenges being experienced by the Business Management Training Programme at the National Youth Development Agency. Using a qualitative approach, this study made use of semi-structured interviews with a carefully selected sample of those involved in the management and implementation of the Business Management Training Programme. A thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews indicated that the challenges experienced in the implementation of the programme did not stem solely from operational issues within the National Youth Development Agency, but from the conceptualisation and design of the Business Management Training Programme. On this basis, it is recommended that the National Youth Development Agency use the Design and Architecture Framework for Entrepreneurship Education and Training to conceptualise and design their own Business Management Training Programme. The study concluded that by conceptualising and designing its own programme, the National Youth Development Agency will be able to address the unique entrepreneurial education and training challenges being experienced in South Africa. / Public Administration and Management / M. (Public Administration)

Entrepreneurship is a catalyst for economic growth and development; thus, the South African government continues to invest in programmes aimed at enhancing youth entrepreneurship development. However, South Africa is still characterised by low levels of total entrepreneurship activity. To stimulate entrepreneurial activity, scholars, policy makers and government have all identified entrepreneurship education as a critical component. Education equips potential and existing entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills, confidence, creativity and innovative capabilities needed to excel in entrepreneurship. One such entrepreneurship programme aimed at creating and enhancing entrepreneurship intentions among high school learners is the one offered by Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA). However, the effectiveness of the JASA entrepreneurship education programmes remains largely unknown. Enterprise Programme creates and enhances learners’ entrepreneurship intentions. Consequently, how learners’ personal attitudes towards entrepreneurship, perceived entrepreneurial abilities, subjective norms and entrepreneurship intentions were affected after participating in the Mini Enterprise Programme. The study employed a quantitative method and used an entrepreneurial intentions questionnaire to answer the research question. Data was collected from 151 learners who participated in the 2018 Mini Enterprise programme by means of self-completion questionnaires. SPSS was used to analyse the date through descriptive and inferential analysis techniques. The major finding of the study is that JASA’s Mini Enterprise Programme does indeed create and enhance learners’ entrepreneurship intentions. It was also observed that the programme positively influences learners’ personal attitudes towards entrepreneurship and instilled a sense of confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities. The study concludes by providing some recommendations for entrepreneurship education. / Bogwebi ke sethankgolodi sa kgolo le tlhabololo ya ikonomi, mme ke ka moo puso ya Aforikaborwa e tswelelang go beeletsa mo mananeong a a ikaeletseng go tokafatsa tlhabololo ya bogwebi mo bašweng. Le gale, Aforikaborwa e sa ntse e na le seelo se se kwa tlase sa ditiragatso tsa bogwebi ka botlalo. Go susumetsa tiragatso ya bogwebi, barutegi, badiradipholisi le puso ba supile thuto ya kgwebo jaaka karolo ya botlhokwa. Thuto e tlamela ba e ka nnang bagwebi le bagwebi ba ba setseng ba le gona ka kitso, bokgoni, go itshepa, boitlhamedi le boitshimololedi jo bo tlhokegang go dira sentle mo bogwebing. Lenaneo lengwe la bogwebi le le ikaeletseng go tlhama le go tokafatsa maikemisetso a kgwebo mo barutwaneng ba dikolo tse dikgolwane le tlamelwa ke Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA). Le gale, nonofo ya lenaneo la thuto ya kgwebo la JASA e sa ntse e sa itsewe. Lenaneo la Kgwebo le tlhama le go tokafatsa maikemisetso a morutwana a bogwebi. Thutopatlisiso e ne e lebeletse ka moo molebo wa sebele wa barutwana malebana le bogwebi, bokgoni jo go tsewang bo le gona jwa kgwebo, ditumelo tse di gona le maikemisetso a bogwebi di amiwang ka gona ke Lenaneo la Kgwebonnye (Mini Enterprise Programme). Thutopatlisiso e dirisitse mokgwa o o lebelelang dipalopalo mme ya dirisa lenaanepotsolotso la maikemisetso a bogwebi go araba potso ya patlisiso. Go kokoantswe data go tswa mo barutwaneng ba le 151 ba ba nnileng le seabe mo Lenaneong la Kgwebonnye ka manaanepotsolotso a a itlalediwang. Go dirisitswe SPSS go lokolola data ka dithekeniki tsa tokololo tse di tlhalosang le tse di lebang bokao. Phitlhelelo e kgolo ya thutopatlisiso ke gore Lenaneo la Kgwebonnye la JASA tota le tlhama le go tokafatsa maikemisetso a bogwebi a barutwana. Go lemogilwe gape gore lenaneo le tlhotlheletsa megopolo ya sebele ya barutwana malebana le bogwebi mme le tsenya go itshepa mo bokgoning jwa bona jwa kgwebo. Thutopatlisiso e konosetsa ka go tlamela ka dikatlenegiso dingwe malebana le thuto ya bogwebi. / Ikhono lobubhizinisi luyimvubelo yokuhlumisa kanye nokuthuthukisa umnotho, yingakho iNingizimu Afrika iqhubeka nokutshala izimali kwizinhlelo ezihlose ukuqinisa uhlelo lokuthuthukisa osomabhizinisi abasafufusayo. Ngakho-ke, iNingizimu Afrika isabonakala njengezwe elinezinga eliphansi kakhulu kwezezinhleli zokwenza ibhizinisi. Ukukhwezela izinga lokwezeka kwebhizinisi, osolwazi, abakhi bemigomo kanye nohulumeni bonke sebebone ukubaluleka kwemfundo njengesigaba esisemqoka. Imfundo ihlomisa ngamathuba kanye nosomabhizinisi abakhona ngolwazi, ngamakhono, ngethemba, ngobuciko bengqondo kanye nekhono lamaqhinga amasha adingeka ukuthi ukwazi ukuphumelela kwezibhizinisi. Uhlelo olunjalo lwezebhizinisi oluhlose ukwakha nokuqinisa izinhloso zobubhizinisi hlangana nabafundi abasemabangeni aphezulu, lwethulwa yinhlangano ye-Junior Achievement South Africa (JASA). Yize-kunjalo, ukusebenza ngempumelelo kwezinhlelo zemfundo yobubhizinisi i-JASA kaningi kuhlala kungaziwa kahle. Uhlelo lwebhizinisi i-Enterprise Programme lwakha futhi luqinisa izinhloso zabafundi zebhizinisi. Lolu cwaningo lugxile kwindlela imikhuba yomfundi ngamunye iba nomthelela ngayo kwezebhizinisi, kwezamakhono aziwayo ezebhizinisi, kwingqubo ethatha uhlangothi kanye nakwizinhloso zebhizinisi zithintwa wumthelela we-Mini Enterprise Programme. Ucwaningo lusebenzise indlela eyencike kumanani (quantitative method) kanti futhi luphinde lwasebenzisa umbhalo wemibuzo onezinhloso zobubhizinisi ukuphendula umbuzo wocwaningo. Idatha iqoqwe kubafundi abayi-151 ababebandakanyeka ohlelweni lwe-2018 Mini Enterprise Programme ngokusebenzisa imibhalo yemibuzo egcwaliswa yolowo mfundi ophendulayo qobo lwakhe. I-SPSS isetshenziselwe ukuhlaziya ilanga ngokusebenzisa izinhlelo zokuhlaziya i-descriptive and inferential analysis techniques. Ulwazi olunzulu olutholwe wucwaningo olwenziwe yi-JASA’s Mini Enterprise Programme empeleni luye lwakha futhi lwaqinisa izinhloso zabafundi kwezebhizinisi. Kuye kwatholakala ukuthi uhlelo luye lwaba nomthelela omuhle kwimikhuba yabafundi ngamunye kwikhono lobubhizinisi futhi lwatshala ummoya wokuzethemba kumakhono abo obubhizinisi. Ucwaningo luphetha ngokunikeza izincomo ezimayelana nemfundo yobubhizinisi / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)