SME TradeLinks

17/04/2026

Sharing clips of the participation of our founder and CEO, Dr Salifou Siddo, in Edition 22 of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Student Academic Development Support & Work Integrated Learning Show organised by (CTN) on Wednesday, 1st April 2026.

The panel discussed entrepreneurship for university graduates and Dr Siddo made a few key points that can be summarised as follows:

- Entrepreneurship must be reframed — it’s not a last resort, it’s a pathway to economic participation.

- We need to move graduates away from “idea thinking” to problem-solving and ex*****on.

- Funding is not the starting point — traction is.

- From what we see on the ground at SME TradeLinks, the gap is not potential—it’s structured ex*****on.

- Graduates contemplating entrepreneurship need:

+ Clear starting points
+ Practical frameworks
+ And access to the right ecosystems

- The opportunity is there—but it requires a shift in how we approach entrepreneurship from day one.

Clip 1. How Monaco and Formula One launched my business: https://streamyard.com/6mn3jpkesnac39rg
Clip 2. Treat yourself like a business: The billboard framework; https://streamyard.com/y6nuawssrzvw7vd2
Clip 3. What to do when WIL students aren't hired; https://streamyard.com/bu8wvafgt3gsuudw
Clip 4. Turn knowledge into opportunity: A practical entrepreneurship example; https://streamyard.com/3vt5ku7kf5ejwkrz

NB: Full Show Video Recording; https://streamyard.com/eytvhzer22pt

01/04/2026

🚨 WE ARE LIVE TODAY at 18h00! 🚨

Join Dr Salifou Siddo, Founder & CEO, SME Tradelinks (Pty) Ltd; Convenor of the Reed Exhibitions Entrepreneurship Incubation, Mentorship & Coaching Programme, this evening at the VUT ADS & WIL SHOW (Edition 22) hosted by COMETSA Television Network (CTN).

🎓 Theme: Entrepreneurship for University Graduates

💡 Gain insights on SME development, funding pathways, and building investment-ready businesses.

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Tsima (COMETSA)

📺 Join LIVE here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cometsatelevisionnetwork
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-tsima-a92444a

👉 Don’t miss this powerful conversation!
🚀

I help leaders, executives, and organizations unlock their potential through a… · Experience: 2U · Education: University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika · Location: Germiston · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Sam Tsima’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 bill...

27/03/2026

I’m excited to be speaking at the VUT Student Academic Development Support & Work Integrated Learning Show, live on COMETSA TV.

As Founder & CEO of SME TradeLinks, I’ll be sharing practical insights on how graduates can move beyond theory into entrepreneurship — and importantly, how to access real funding and market opportunities.

Theme: Entrepreneurship for University Graduates
Date: 1 April 2026
Time: 18:00–19:30 (CAT)

If you’re serious about starting or growing your business, this session is for you.

👉 Explore funding and support opportunities here: www.smetradelinks.co.za

22/11/2025

G20 2025 South Africa in full swing. Declaration adopted by overwhelming consensus. Can’t wait to read the Declaration. Bravo South Africa.

20/11/2025

We are proud to share that Jane Ndou, owner of Jane International Luxe, will be participating in a G20 Focus interview on the SABC G20 Pop up Channel SABC+ tomorrow between 09:00 and 12:00.

Jane International Luxe is a Gauteng-based company that specializes in fashion and arts & culture events, and a participant in our 2025 Reed Exhibitions ESD Incubation Programme.

As an arts and culture entrepreneur, Jane will be talking about the creative economy and the role of arts and culture in global cooperation.
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04/10/2025

Shout out to our newest members! We are excited to have you onboard!

Nkosinathi Mhlongo, Pakes Dikgetsi, Musa Kenneth Mabasa, Jane Mudzunga Ndou, Richman Shazi, MD Hasan, Max Ngcoya, Khashane Malatji, Lunga Gwadashe, Lehlohonolo Mashiloane, Mohlala BP, Mpho Gift, Polane Simone Selala

22/09/2025

26/08/2025

GIZ Botswana and SADC are looking for a Regional Development Advisor: Access to Finance for a new project targeting MSMEs in the KAZA TFCA. Great opportunity for anyone with the requisite skills/experience in tourism/finance.

08/10/2024

Happy to see Tourism being listed as one of 10 "Thriving Industries" for hopeful South African entrepreneurs in this Businesstech article. Following the big hit it took due to the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa’s tourism industry is once again flying high, which means many tourism opportunities exist for SMEs. The article notes that travel and tourism added nearly R234.82 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Africa in 2021 and suggests niche areas for hopeful entrepreneurs to focus on if they wish to get a foot into one of SA’s busier industries.

South Africa’s economy is facing challenges, but SME South Africa sees some great opportunities in various “thriving industries.”

03/07/2024

The events and exhibitions sector is a rapidly growing segment of the global tourism industry, and Africa is no exception. The involvement of youth...

07/06/2024

African SMEs face the scourge of bribery and corruption every day in their business interactions and activities. Proud to have contributed some inputs on the topic in this article from .
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African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently facing the dilemma of whether to stand firm against bribery and corruption, with a large proportion believing that doing so could cost