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    Leane Hendricks is proving that South Africans can also run successful spaza shop businesses by starting small and serving their communities. Phone: supplied

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  • Business

    Why local government elections matter more to entrepreneurs

    Leane Hendricks is proving that South Africans can also run successful spaza shop businesses by starting small and serving their communities. Phone: supplied

    Woman entrepreneur proves locals can crack it in spaza sector

    Shop2Shop & Pay@ deal gives township traders new income stream

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    Mpumalanga’s green transition could unlock new markets for SMMEs

    The daily reality of running a small business used to mean braving the elements and enduring constant uncertainty for hawkers in Qwaqwa in the Free State.Photo. Setsing Plaza

    Free State businesses want municipalities to act ahead of polls

    Sugar import surge threatens local growers and producers

    Entrepreneurs are turning second-hand clothing bales into income, with traders targeting busy community locations to reach customers looking for affordable winter wear.

    How dunusa offers entrepreneurs a low-cost entry into retail

    The KwaZuluu Natal Department of Transport has sent in graders to remove snow from the roads after a heavy downpour on Tuesday. Photo. KZN Transport

    Severe weather threatens businesses across Eastern Cape and KZN

    North-West University student Nomathamsanqa Mandisa Nxumalo has transformed a small beauty and wellness venture into a registered business while continuing her studies

    Varsity student runs beauty side hustle while earning her degree

  • Agriculture
    The Eastern Cape has launched an R80 million grain commercialisation drive to support emerging farmers and expand commercial grain production.

Photo:wandilesihlobo.com

    Eastern Cape commits R80m to support emerging grain farmers

    Sugar import surge threatens local growers and producers

    sharp drop in national pork prices offers independent food vendors and shisa nyamas a vital opportunity to offer affordable meals while protecting daily cash flow.

    SME food operators reclaim margins as national pork prices drop

    Emerging livestock farmers in Mpumalanga are being encouraged to improve animal health, production practices and traceability to access formal beef markets.

    Emerging farmers urged toward commercial livestock production

    A World Bank and S&P Global Container Port Performance Index ranked the Port of Cape Town as the worst-performing container port in the world

    Cape Town port backlog squeezes fruit farmers

    The Mpumalanga International Food Market has entered its commercial phase, with government hoping the R2 billion facility will improve market access for farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains and stimulate economic growth across the province.

    Politics overshadow promise as Mpumalanga Market opening stalls

    Zelda Masoga of Mazeli Farming in Limpopo is among a new generation of black commercial farmers rewriting past inequalities. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba\Mukurukuru Media

    Kgodiso funding boost puts black farmers on the path to growth

    Entrepreneur Pitsi Mafolo founded Eden Harvest Co to create more value from South African-grown macadamia nuts through agro-processing.

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    How Artificial Intelligence is helping SA small businesses grow

    How Google Cloud infrastructure expansion could benefit SMEs

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    A long wait for care at a hospital gave Sibongile Mongadi an idea for her business. Photo. Supplied

    Soweto creator redefines prosthetics through local manufacturing

    Innovator Tshepiso Malema has designed a digital solution to help farmers.

    Agritech platform brings digital precision to livestock farming

    Setšong Tea Crafters was able to overcome barriers that often keep rural enterprises out of mainstream retail channels. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba\Mukurukuru Media

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    Sibusiso Shabangu, a Mpumalanga waste-to-fuel innovator, says his project is on hold as he completes regulatory compliance requirements.

    Innovator behind waste-to-fuel project faces compliance delays

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  • Finance

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    New Stats SA data shows more than 750 business insolvencies were recorded in South Africa during the first half of 2026. 

Photo: OLIVIER LE MOAL

    More than 750 firms go insolvent as SA companies feel the pinch

    Property players are urging caution as another rate hike could dampen the sector’s confidence.

    Property sector warns rate hike could delay market recovery

    Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank South Africa, says the expanded Export Readiness Programme will help more SMEs become export-ready.
Photo: Supplied

    Standard Bank and DHL partner to expand SME exports

    Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams officiates the handover of a Caterpillar excavator to Mbalelanga Trading Enterprise under the Business Infrastructure Support Programme in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Photo: DSBD

    Ministerial Small Business Clinic equipment donation boosts SMEs

    The government has introduced temporary fuel price relief worth R17.2 billion due to rising global fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict.

    Treasury keeps fiscal stability despite global conflict

    Rise in inflation is putting SMEs under strain

    SMEs brace for pressure as inflation jumps to 4%

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    R2.7bn loan deal brings relief but SMEs remain under pressure

    SME funding has improved access to finance through the partnership between Ozow and Lula.

    Ozow and Lula partner to boost SME funding access in SA

    Entrepreneurs are increasingly citing compliance barriers, poor communication and rigid lending criteria as major obstacles to accessing capital.

    SMEs still locked out despite billions in available funding

  • Tourism
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    Setšong Tea Crafters was able to overcome barriers that often keep rural enterprises out of mainstream retail channels. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba\Mukurukuru Media

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    Communities around Hazyview and Mpakeni want clarity on whether the fencing project will empower local contractors or be dominated by outside firms

    SMEs seek slice of R37m Kruger fencing project

    Tourists visiting the Kruger National Park could soon be encouraged to explore Mozambique and Eswatini through the new TriLand regional tourism initiative.

    TriLand tourism plan could boost Mpumalanga’s economy

    South African Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Mauritian Tourism Minister Richard Duval during the signing of a tourism cooperation agreement at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban. Photo: DoT

    Will SA–Mauritius tourism pact unlock SME growth?

    Limpopo is positioning tourism infrastructure as part of a broader economic development strategy aimed at attracting investors. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba\Mukurukuru Media

    Tourism infrastructure anchors Limpopo’s investor strategy

    The delegation from the province's five districts showcased accommodation, wellness services, cultural tourism and adventure experiences to both local and international buyers. Photo. Ledet

    Tourism indaba showcases rural-based small enterprises

  • Advertise
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    • All
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    • Township Policy & Government
    Leane Hendricks is proving that South Africans can also run successful spaza shop businesses by starting small and serving their communities. Phone: supplied

    Woman entrepreneur proves locals can crack it in spaza sector

    A spaza owner sits outside his supermarket in Kliptown, Soweto. Photo: Nhlanhla Phillips

    Step-by-step guide on how to apply for Spaza Shop Support Fund

    Entrepreneurs are proving that growth no longer depends on having a physical store. Photo SME SA

    Top tips to grow your small business through e-commerce

    Moovy Delivery founder Nhlanhla Nkosi turned a gap in township logistics into a growing courier business. Photo Supplied

    Top tips to grow a successful business in SA’s township economy

    Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank South Africa, says the expanded Export Readiness Programme will help more SMEs become export-ready.
Photo: Supplied

    Standard Bank and DHL partner to expand SME exports

    A multi-billion-rand manufacturing boom is taking shape as South Africa accelerates industrialisation through regional value chains under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

    How SMEs can win big from SACU’s new industrial hubs

    Many businesses are building their online presence on platforms they do not own, which means they have no real control over how their content is shared or seen.

    Top tips on how entrepreneurs can grow their online presence

    Entrepreneurs should prepare financial records and plans as lenders assess credit, cash flow and repayment. Photo: finzway

    How to improve your chances of scoring that business loan

    Innovation-led industrialisation aims to strengthen manufacturing, create jobs and integrate SMEs into regional value chains. Photo: ceo monthly

    SMEs set to benefit from innovation-led industrialisation drive

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MAP Café gives entrepreneurs a chance to mingle and learn

by Moipone Malefane
March 27, 2025
in Business, Top story
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
From the left: David Michael Bouwer, Marna Roets, Glen Leece-Jones, Mert Kumbaraci and Graeme Jorgensen with Wimpie Merwe at  MAP Cafe for Entrepreneurs in Waterkloof Glen

From the left: David Michael Bouwer, Marna Roets, Glen Leece-Jones, Mert Kumbaraci and Graeme Jorgensen with Wimpie Merwe at MAP Cafe for Entrepreneurs in Waterkloof Glen

By Azwidohwi Mamphiswana

Businesspeople in Pretoria are discovering a powerful resource for growth through MAP Café for Entrepreneurs, a weekly gathering that blends business strategies with community support, helping them set goals and stay accountable.

Held every Wednesday at Cre-Ate Café in Waterkloof Glen, MAP Café is more than just a networking event—it’s a 13-week structured programme that provides entrepreneurs with practical tools to map out their business and personal growth.

Owned by Glen Leece-Jones, a seasoned life and business coach, MAP Café has been running for over a decade through his business, Mentoris Coaching.

At the heart of MAP Café is the MAP4Life methodology, a five-step process and framework that helps participants assess their position, define their goals, create an action plan, take meaningful steps and track their results.

“We focus on mapping out where you are, where you want to go and how you’ll get there. It takes the guesswork out of success,” explained Leece-Jones.

Insurance business entrepreneur from Centurion, Marna Roets who owns Inscorp Insurance Brokers, values MAP Café for keeping her focused.

“MAP Café keeps me grounded and on track. It provides the tools and skills to navigate both business and life,” she said.

David Michael Bouwer, who owns I Need An Expert, Vision 2025 and other businesses from Mooikloof credits the programme for refining both his personal and professional growth.

“If you apply the principles of… MAP4LIFE in your business and life, you benefit as it gives you a clear picture of where you want to go in your life and what you want to achieve,” he said.

Bouwer prefers using the traditional MAP4Life book over digital methods to track his progress.

“Writing things down makes a huge difference. I use different colours to distinguish between business, taxes and personal matters. It helps me see exactly what I’ve worked on and what needs attention,” he explained.

A major challenge for many entrepreneurs is the isolation of running a business alone.

Leece-Jones emphasises the importance of networking and mentorship.

“One of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs is loneliness. They’re out in their business without much contact with others. That’s why I run MAP Café—to create a support system,” he explained.

Christian Schellingerhout believes the MAP4Life methodology brings much-needed structure to the entrepreneurial journey.

“If you want to be an entrepreneur, you need the right foundation, which is a map. And a map takes you somewhere,” he said.

This sense of structure resonates with Graeme Jorgensen, owner of PetGuys, a pet feeding and house-sitting service from Garsfontein.

“This week, we focused on budgeting—something I’ve been meaning to do for years. It was an eye-opening lesson on how much unnecessary spending happens. I need to apply this in my business,” he said.

The 13-week MAP Café cycle runs four times a year, helping entrepreneurs continuously track their progress.

“We repeat the process to keep people on track and growing,” said Leece-Jones.

Wimpie Merwe, owner of PAPERWIZZ, a small paper products business in
Centurion, has seen real results since joining.

“My business has improved, and my customer base has grown,” Merwe said.

As MAP Café continues to grow, its impact is undeniable.

Entrepreneurs seeking transformation and mentorship can find both at this dynamic, goal-oriented gathering.

“It’s about creating a space where entrepreneurs can connect, share challenges, and support each other,” Leece-Jones concludes.

– Azwi@vutivibusiness.co.za

Tags: Glen Leece-JonesMAP Café and EntrepreneursSMMEs MAP Cafe
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