Writing's on the Wall ... Hennie Cloete

"We have not grown a population of entrepreneurs in South Africa. People generally believe they must be wage earners. The till must open on the 25th of each month," says Hennie Cloete on the iStart2 Show this week.

Hennie Cloete is inspired by entrepreneurship and the challenges we face in South Africa. He questions issues like why people cling to security, why we are scared to break the "rules" and operate outside our comfort zones and has definite opinions on reasons why many people see themselves as helpless wage earners.  An appetite for risk and passion for your dream are the most important characteristics he looks for when helping and mentoring prospective entrepreneurs. 

"The most valuable lessons I have learnt was through failures," says Hennie. "You might find me without money but NEVER without a plan." Hennie is CEO of Tholo Management Services and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow.

Hennie is adament that we must think differently about water and how we use water. "Water is a big issue. I started rainwater harvesting at home. My urban farm is growing at a rapid rate. I am trying to build an urban farm in my backyard. We will be able to feed my family and even be able to give some to friends and family."

Hear what this highly passionate, talented and remarkable entrepreneur has to say - just click play below:

Thought of the Day:

Upcoming event:

Place: Atterbury Theatre
Date: 25 November 2016 at 20h00
#iStart2Sing presents an evening of musical excellence
Artists: Coenie de Villiers, Pops Mohamed, Somerfaan, Sankobo Afrique, Ashish Joshi, Poorvhi Bhana, Dudu Majola, Luna Paige & Decca.

See you there!

Sustainability Conversations ... Sustainopreneurship

Sustainopreneurship (a portmanteau of sustainability and entrepreneurship) is the use of business organizing to solve problems related to social and environmental sustainability. It is a “business with a cause” - where world problems are turned into business opportunities by deployment of sustainability innovations. It is similar to social entrepreneurship.

The entrepreneurial discourse has opened up to move beyond a strictly economic phenomenon, rather than being perceived primarily as a social process at large. Social entrepreneurship have also been establishing not-for-profit venturing and charities to innovatively address and solve social problems, whereas ecopreneurship has been primarily focused on solving environmental problems. 

Sustainopreneurship:

- consciously sets out to find and/or create innovations to solve sustainability-related problems. South African born Elon Musk is a great example of one of the more successful sustainopreneurs.

- means to get solutions to the market through creative organizing. A core pillar of building peace is the strengthening of an African civil society movement built from below & beyond borders. @AfricansRising

- in process adds sustainability value with respect for life support . It is business with a cause: to turn business activity from a part of the problem to a part of the solution. The iStart2 movement joining hands with like minded charities, innovative product entrepreneurs and sustainopreneurs operate in this space.

Source: Wikipedia. Read more here

Entrepreneurship is a complex phenomena. South Africa does not perform particularly well in relation to the rest of the globe. If one looks at the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, it indicates that we have around 7% of the adult population involved in entrepreneurship at any one time. — Dr Jonathan Marks, Head of faculty of Entrepreneurship at GIBS.

 

 

  

 

Aspirant and existing entrepreneurs face huge challenges and frustrations in South Africa. We chat to our Sustainability Hero of the Week, Hennie Cloete from Tholo Management Services about the importance of entrepreneurship and solutions and challenges in starting your own business. Are you risk averse? Do you cling to security? Are you prepared to break the "rules" and step out of your comfort zone?

THE iStart2 SHOW

Keitu Gwangwa & Pierre du Toit host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30. Radio Today broadcasts on 1485 MW (AM) in greater Johannesburg and countrywide on ‪#‎DStv‬ audio channel 869.

Radio Today also streams globally on www.1485.org.za.