The Branson Centre is propelling
small businesses into
the big time...
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship has seen
an array of successful businesses funded, thrive
and grow. In just four years 4,000 people
have attended sessions, nearly 100 businesses have
been incubated.
These range from IT companies, to fashion
designers, to a magazine publisher to a gaming
business that equips young people with computer
skills, as well as providing a safe environment
for them to play the latest video games. These
businesses have created jobs in their local
communities and inspired a new generation of
entrepreneurs.
Meet our Entreprenuers
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| Meet:Simon Yiga & Gideon Mulovhedzi |
Afropark
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| “We hope to be a leader in the inner city, not just in parking management but broader inner city revival.” |
Afropark is an inner city parking management company, managing parking facilities for Johannesburg CBD property owners and providing safe, convenient and affordable parking. They provide professional and friendly staff to manage the car park 24 hours a day, seven days a week using CCTV camera equipment. They also offer parking bays which can be rented on an hourly, daily or monthly basis. And they manage the parking of the building where they met. |
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| Meet: Teko Motlhabi |
Tshomo Consulting
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| “passionate about solving problems” |
Teko Motlhabi describes himself as being “passionate about solving problems”. Specifically, his business, Tshomo Consulting, helps engineering companies solve problems in the water and construction sectors. He certainly knows what he’s talking about, with a background in engineering and years of technical experience under his belt. |
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| Meet: Sybil Otterstrom |
Next Level Management
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| "Research is key in business. Get to know the facts, even if unpalatable." |
| Music videos, computer games and texting their friends. That’s all young people are into, isn’t it? Not according to Sybil Otterstrom. The 43-year-old entrepreneur has set out to change misconceptions about young people – and help them gain that difficult first step into work. |
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| Meet: Mongezi Mtati |
WordStart
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| "Perfect your model and fearlessly carve out your niche to become an active thought leader in your industry." |
| Mongezi Mtati describes himself as a hybrid. He’s both an ardent social media marketer and a junkie for all things tech. The 31 year old worked on a campaign capturing the experiences of locals and tourists for the Football World Cup in South Africa. |
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| Meet: Lesego Malatsi |
Mzansi Designers
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| "Tailoring new talent and taking the South African fashion world by storm..." |
| Lesego Malatsi has designs on shaking up the
South African fashion world. He passionately
believes in developing and empowering the next
generation of black South African designers.
His company, Mzansi Designers, based in Jo’burg,
is nurturing new design talent, creating jobs and
catching the eye of the international fashion
pack. |
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| Meet: Yashwin Bagwandeen |
Game Over
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| "The arcade game maker with his finger on the pulse..." |
| Yashwin Bagwandeen, 35, started his first
business at the age of 12. His grandfather was
an entrepreneur, so you could say it runs in
the blood.
He’s been running GAME OVER for the past
three years, and has over 20 years experience
in the industry. |
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| Meet: Dipuo Marekwa |
Pelontle Marekwa
Transport Services
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| "The wheel deal for parents
and workers who want to
beat the Jo’burg jams..." |
| When Dipuo Marekwa’s daughter reached schoolgoing
age, Dipuo realised that the transport
available for getting her to school was unreliable
and unsafe, and so she started her own transport
company. |
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| Meet: Bongani Tshabalala |
B&M Football5’s
(Pty) Ltd
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| "Game changers in the development of South Africa’s youth..." |
| When it comes to sniffing out new business ideas
in rural South Africa, 28 year old Bongani Tshabalala
and Mokoni Paile are ahead of the game.
They’ve identified an opportunity to kick-start
a nationwide five-a-side soccer league for both
male and female players. |
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| Meet: Cleopatra Simelane |
Recess Magazine
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| "Read all about it..." |
| Cleopatra Simelane knows what she wants and
she knows how to get it. The team at the Branson
Centre remember, “We didn’t find Cleo; Cleo
found us. That’s the kind of proactivity we are
looking for.”
At just 23 years of age, she’s founded South
Africa’s newest “edutainment” magazine for 14-24
year olds. |
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| Meet: Sibongile Thafeni |
Kotulo Milling
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| "A bakery supplier that’s
giving power to the people..." |
| When it comes to being an inspiring entrepreneur,
bakery industry maverick Sibongile Thafeni rises
to the occasion. She’s single-handedly taking on
the big monopolies in her industry, fighting the
corner of the small business person and creating a
better service. |
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Got what it takes to become a Branson Centre Entrepreneur?
Then what are you waiting for? We would love to hear from you please outline your business plan to us using the link below.
Application form for the Entrepreneur Development Program |
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