Small business owners call for more awareness regarding World Entrepreneurs Day. The 21st of August was World Entrepreneurs’ Day. But not many in South Africa, including some entrepreneurs, would have been aware that such a commemorative day even existed. Now, these entrepreneurs are of the firm belief that more awareness should be created around the day, and that seasoned entrepreneurs should use the occasion to impart much-needed knowledge, experience, and coaching to younger entrepreneurs.
Vutivi News spoke to two business owners about World Entrepreneurs’ Day. Both said they believed the day should be as celebrated as other holidays such as Heritage Day. Ikaneng Khunoana, who runs Ellen Rose Flowers and Gifts in Tshwane with his partner, Lesego Lesetedi, said that for him, celebrating such a day would mean acknowledging the freedom entrepreneurship offers. “For me, entrepreneurship represents freedom and taking control of my life, my future decisions, and being able to change the lives of many,” he told Vutivi News.
“I believe that this day should be about celebrating the stories entrepreneurs tell through their businesses.” According to Khunoana, the day should be celebrated in South Africa by putting seasoned entrepreneurs together with young people in business. “Businesses and CEOs and owners of large companies can take the time out to teach young entrepreneurs, reach out to them and encourage them with mentorship for a day,” he said.
“There should also be a nationwide campaign to make such an important day known to other entrepreneurs and the general public.” Moringa farmer Alwin Makhale shared the same views on the importance of the day. Makhale, who runs his moringa business, AA Moringa, in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, said that he too was not aware of the existence of World Entrepreneurs’ Day, and called for a nationwide campaign to make it known to the public.
“It’s not often that entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to sit down and reflect on the impact that we leave in our communities and our sectors,” he said. “On this day, entrepreneurs can reflect, have trade exhibitions, network and older entrepreneurs can teach young people about entrepreneurship. “I believe that it can give them a lot of courage that is much needed, and it can also give entrepreneurs the platform to share their knowledge.”
Makhale, who mentors young farmers and is the secretary of the Moringa Development Association of South Africa, told Vutivi News that he understood the struggles of running a business without knowledge. “It was very challenging for me as an entrepreneur to start my business because there wasn’t anyone to share information with me,” he said. “The government should find ways to communicate the significance of this day boldly so that entrepreneurs can be encouraged not to give up when the going gets tough.”
