Day 1 of MIT Start-up Workshop

Cebisa and I are attending a three-day workshop on Business Start-ups (http://www.mitgsw.org/) organized by MIT and the WITS Business School. We are being sponsored by the McCoombs School of Business of the University of Texas (thanks David!). The day started of with a riveting keynote address by Euvin Naidoo of WITS. Later, there was an excellent panel discussion by university students that started their own businesses while they were still studying, something we have often discussed at TSiBA. Tomorrow has several highlights, but I will especially be following Cebisa in the Elevator Pitch Competition! Between sessions, there is a lot of networking going on and Cebisa certainly works the crowd.

L'Oreal likes our Micro-MBA students

There is nothing better than walking on the streets after you had a fresh haircut. Yesterday was one of those fresh-hair days. Bart and I went to Tersia, our new hairdresser. Tersia worked over ten years in the Sheraton Hotel (it is the Westin Grand now), but now she works from home in Thornton, only 5 minutes from our campus.

In February, she participated in our very first Micro-MBA course. What did she get from it? "I used to hope for the best each day," she said, "but now I am actually able to run my business effectively and can predict my numbers." Tersia learned about marketing and marketing research, resulting in a 40% boost in clients. She specialises in upscale service (a nice head massage and very smart advice), and is always ready to give you a new look.

We were not the only ones impressed by Tersia's skills. Recently she struck a deal with L'Oreal, the French cosmetics giant (they employ 63 000 people) as advertised by the beautiful Penelope Cruz.

If you think you fancy a great new haircut, you can reach Tersia at the following numbers: (021) 532-3366 and 073 3590234.

Letterpress at Design Indaba

I have always loved the work of Anton and Gitanjali at The Letterpress Company. But their newest creation has surpassed my wildest dreams. A stunning series of cards depicting indigenous South African trees. These were a highlight of this year's Design Indaba.


Here is what Gitanjali had to say: Design Indaba Expo showcases the cream of SA design in various disciplines. One of our popular products, which received lots of attention at the Expo, was a boxed set of large folded cards featuring indigenous trees of southern Africa. Created using earth-friendly and tree-free papers and hand-operated printing equipment, our artisan stationery will soon be exported as there was interest from Japan, France and the UK. Visit our website for more details - www.theletterpresscompany.co.za.

Mzoli in the news

Finally, an article in the mainstream media that “gets” what’s going on in the townships of Cape Town and reports on it objectively.

Silulo Ulutho Strikes Again!

On Friday, March 13, Silulo Ulutho Technologies celebrated the launch of a partnership with the City of Cape Town and with Microsoft South Africa that will make technology access more affordable for businesses and residents of Khayelitsha. And make some money for Silulo in the process through preferential pricing from Microsoft...

The keynote speakers were Helen Zille, Mayor of Cape Town, and Mteto Nyati, General Manager of Microsoft South Africa, pictured above with Luvuyo Rani, Silulo's MD. Our Entrepreneurship Centre has been mentoring these 4 young and dynamic local entrepreneurs since early 2008 and this is yet another milestone in their record of fabulous achievements.

Meet MC!

As our portfolio is getting larger and larger, we decided to present some of our entrepreneurs and their companies from time to time.

This week we would like you to meet with Lizo MC Mgobozi, owner of ProTeam SA. Born and raised in the Langa Township he knows the place like the back of his hand. He likes it so much he started to lead guests around. For starters, he will take you to the traditional healer/pharmacist who cures you by using plants and animal parts followed by a stop at the famed Langa Hostels, a must for anyone who is interested in South-Africa's history. Next you can find if local brews are to your likeing in an African Beer House, where you can try umqombothi, a traditional Xhosa beer. If you're feeling adventurous, you can sample Smiley, a Township treat. MC also customizes his tours upon request. His Township Experience Tours are perfect for people who wish to develope an acurate understanding of the townships as well as interact with the locals.

MC has been a tour guide for11 years. Recently he decided to take his business to a new level and obtained his official tourist guide certificate from Theta, the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority. This means that soon you will find his brochures at your local hotel or tourist office! He is also currently working on launching a website (we'll let you know when the site will be ready).

MC also offers corporate and team building activities. He has worked with the local Department for Water and Forestry, the US Northwestern University, and many South African schools just to name a few.

For more information, feel free to contact MC and his company ProTeamSA:

Lizo MC Mgobozi

60 Sigcawu Avenue

Langa, 7455

Cape Town 8000

+27782808944

+27216941895

lmgobozi@gmail.com

Micro-MBA Course

This past week the Entrepreneurship Centre successfully conducted its first Micro-MBA Program. The program is a one week course in which participants learn relevant skills related to starting and running a small business. These skills range from market demand analysis to financial management. Twenty-one entrepreneurs participated in the program representing various types of businesses; hair styling, catering, shoe making, and IT services just to name a few. Not only did participants learn from the course material, but they also learned from each other as they discussed the challenges they have faced in starting up and running a small business.

Although the initial training week is over, we will continue to provide consultation to all the participants as they start up or continue to run their business. Due to the program’s success we are already planning to run it again in the next few months.