Need help with your (very) small business? Enter the South African Institute for Entrepreneurship...

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Ernest Boateng, Business Development Manager at the South African Institute for Entrepreneurship (SAIE).

Listen below: 

Earlier this week, Kiewit heard Nicky Jafta's story.

ALSO READ: Meet Nicky Jafta who grew a R350 grant into a small farming business with a R20,000 turnover

After starting a vegetable farming business with his R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant during the COVID-19 lockdown, Jafta grew his vegetable garden into a thriving enterprise - with some of his produce even being ordered from Namibia.

Jafta received guidance and business training from the SAIE to turn that monthly grant into a turnover of around R20,000.

Boateng says SAIE has been around since 1996 and aims to 'unleash' entrepreneurial minds by developing their skills through collaboration with stakeholders in various communities.

"We do so by making use of our specially designed simulation-based innovative programs, tools and training methodologies, particularly in the areas of agriculture or food gardens."

- Ernest Boateng, Business Development Manager - SAIE

"We all know, R350 won't take you anywhere, but the fact that if you have R350 and you decide that you have ground in your backyard and decide that you want to buy seeds, seedings or compost to plant something for yourself and that in itself is the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey... because another person will collect that R350 and spend it on something else..."

- Ernest Boateng, Business Development Manager - SAIE

SAIE training focuses on three aspects: entrepreneurship, technical skills and business education.

For more information, contact the South African Institute for Entrepreneurship on 021 447 2023 or email: info@entrepreneurship.co.za.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation.