What does it truly take to build a successful business in South Africa? Is it a groundbreaking idea, relentless drive, or simply luck? After a rigorous seven-year study, the answer is now clear: it’s a specific set of skills that can be learned, taught, and mastered.
A landmark research project by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and the University of Pretoria has culminated in “South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Competency Framework”a first-of-its-kind blueprint that identifies the 14 core competencies needed to thrive in our unique and diverse economy.
Moving Beyond a “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach
The research, led by Professor Melodi Botha of UP and Carl Herman of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, set out with a clear mission: to move beyond generic, imported business models. They found that many programmes fail because they don’t account for individual learning styles or South Africa’s specific context.
“What became clear from our work is that many entrepreneurship education programmes take a generic approach,” explained Carl Herman. “They often fail to consider individual learning styles, sticking to a one-size-fits-all method.”
The 14 Essential Competencies for South African Success
Through surveys of over 1,150 entrepreneurs and expert analysis, the researchers distilled a global list of hundreds of skills down to 14 essential competencies. These are the building blocks of a resilient and adaptive South African entrepreneur:
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Action Orientation
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Autonomy (Locus of Control)
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Calculated Risk-Taking
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Curiosity
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Growth Mindset
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Innovation
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Leadership
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Opportunity Recognition
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Opportunity Assessment
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Problem-Solving
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Resilience
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Self-Efficacy
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Value Creation
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Values-Driven Approach
Notably, the study found that a Growth Mindsetthe belief that abilities can be developedwas the single strongest predictor of whether someone would actually start a business, regardless of their gender, age, or background.
Learning by Doing: The Proven Teaching Methods
The framework doesn’t just list the skills; it also reveals how to develop them effectively. The research identified that interactive, hands-on learning methods are far superior to traditional classroom teaching.
The most effective techniques include:
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Role-play and simulations
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Real business start-up experiences
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Idea and product development exercises
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Internships
This underscores a vital truth: entrepreneurship is not a theoretical pursuit. It is a practical craft honed through experience.
To complete the picture, the team also developed a validated assessment tool to measure these competencies across different age groups. This provides a reliable way for schools, universities, and incubators to identify strengths and target areas for development.
The ultimate goal is transformative. This framework provides a common language and a practical toolkit to finally nurture entrepreneurship in a way that embraces South Africa’s diversity. It’s an invitation to build a future where every budding entrepreneur has the specific skills they need to write their own success story.
