"Not everyone who chased the zebra caught it, but he who caught it chased it."

--South African Proverb

I know the purpose of this blog is mainly meant to talk about the entrepreneurs we help and how they are working hard to become successful.

But what about us? What about all the behind the scenes work that most people have no idea about. What about the centre?

The TSiBA Entrepreneurship Centre was founded in January 2007 as part of TSiBA Education to provide entrepreneurs a place to plan, develop and grow their businesses.

Successful economies are built on small to medium-sized enterprises. Lack of resources and insufficient managerial talent has hindered the growth of these in South Africa. According to the 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor survey, South Africa only has a new business prevalence rate of 2.1 percent which ranks it 38th out of 43 countries meaning that only 2.1 percent of new businesses survive. The TSiBA Entrepreneurship Centre has created a hands-on operational assistance method including very practical skills development programme and one-on-one mentorship to solve these problems.

All entrepreneurs that go through our programme will learn how to develop their skills, create jobs for others through their businesses, become sustainable and have a positive social impact in their community. When the entrepreneurs leave our centre, they are self-sustainable and have the tools to successfully maintain and grow their businesses.

The work at the Centre is also a cornerstone of the entrepreneurship curriculum at TSiBA Education: the case studies developed at the Centre are used in the classroom and the Centre provides our students with an opportunity to cut their teeth at helping to run real businesses.

In our first two years, we have served over 100 small businesses in the surrounding communities since our founding and currently house four of those in our facilities.

So what does all that mean?

From my very brief time here so far, let me give you a few of my insights.

The centre isn’t just about helping businesses. That’s a huge misconception that I had when I came here. The centre is about helping people. Obviously those people must have a business, but it is more complex than that. If people need help with building their confidence, the centre will coach them with that. If they need help figuring out how to use a computer, we’re ready to show them. Even if it’s something as seemingly simple as the person has had a hard business week and needs to vent, we have open ears.

Each of the staff members in the centre deeply cares about the entrepreneurs that come through the centre and want to succeed with the necessary hard work. The centre is not just a place that says they are here for the people, they really are.

I feel like my eyes have been opened so widely by the entrepreneurs and staff here. There is so much determination and drive behind everyone that it makes me question myself.

You have to be willing to work extremely hard to be successful at the centre. You also must have the right attitude because without that, you will never succeed. But if you’re willing, the centre has the tools, determination, and compassion to help your business.

Iziko lo Lwazi

I had the honor of visiting Iziko lo Lwazi a week ago to prepare for the Northeastern Project with Peter and Johan.

Iziko lo Lwazi is a non-profit organization that helps women from the nearby informal settlement Imizamo Yetho earn money while learning. It started as an adult literacy program that offered free English lessons but has now grown into a business that helps empower women.

The company decided to help the women earn money through paper making. They have now expanded into cards, beadwork, and other gifts.

Johan and I had the privilege of watching paper being made (a beautiful shade of pink) and received a cool explanation about different materials that can be used in the process.

Did you know that paper can be made out of rooibos tea, seaweed, or dung from horses, camels, or elephants? Neither did I. Each material gives the paper a different look and feel. It can also be dyed any colour under the sun and would go beautifully in any scrapbook or journal.

We then were shown where the women do the beadwork. I'm not that crafty with my hands, and I was amazed at what all the women can make. We saw a coin purse, key chains, and pins being made among other things.

Then we moved on to the trailer where English classes are taught. Training is also given to the women about business skills, product development, and marketing.

We finally ended up in the store. I couldn't resist myself and bought the most beautiful beaded necklace that I'm saving for a special occasion. I also bought some cards with wired animals on them. Later that day when I showed them to my friends, they begged me to go back and buy some for them.

Eventually, Iziko lo Lwazi would like for the 12-16 women that work there to take over the running of the business. I left with a sense of hope and excitement for the company. You can't help but feel it when you're there.

If you're interested in assisting the business financially or through funding, or if you just want to buy some of their amazing products, you can e-mail them at izikoll@gmail.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.izikoll.co.za/ or call administrator Fezeka Dyani at 021 790 2273 or 084 580 8684.

TSiBA's 5th Birthday Supports Local Entrepreneurs

On Friday, May 22nd, TSiBA Education celebrated its fifth birthday party. The party included a ceremony, a clown, DJs, and local entrepreneurs from the entrepreneurship centre.

Abu’s Hiring Services and Comida Catering provided their services to help make the big day special.

Abu’s Hiring Services is a business that provides assets like cutlery, furniture and kids entertainment. It was started in 2006 and is run by Mandle and Zoleka Khusela.




For the birthday party, they provided the clown, and the jumping castle. The kids couldn’t get enough of them! They also provided the chairs and the tent where the ceremony was held.



Comida Catering is another local business that assisted in making the birthday memorable. The company currently does the catering for TSiBA Education in the canteen and provides wonderful food every day. It is owned by Jose and Teresa Joao.

Comida provided the beautiful cupcakes that spelled out TSiBA and had the number five on them in honor of the birthday. They also provided other delicious finger food. All the goodies were gone in minutes.

The ceremony went on without a hitch and was made even more memorable by supporting TSiBA entrepreneurs.

If you want to contact Abu’s Hiring Services, you can call them at 021 361 2775 or 073 251 3119 (mobile). Or you can send them an e-mail at info@abuhiringservices.co.za.

To contact Comida Catering, you can call them at 073 245 3407 or 021 532 2750 x113 (business). Or you can e-mail them at info@comidacatering.co.za.