The BlackLeast

05/05/2021

Garden Boys World Wild

11/09/2020

03/02/2019

https://www.profitableventure.com/south-africa/

Do you need info on the best business ideas & investment opportunities in South Africa you can start with no money in 2019? If YES, I advice you read on

03/02/2019

https://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/advice/starting-a-business/types-of-businesses-to-start/20-south-african-side-hustles-you-can-start-this-weekend/

Start one or more of these low cost 20 South African side-hustles this weekend.

03/02/2019

BusinessTech
HOME
BANKING
BROADBAND
BUSINESS
FINANCE
MOTORING
INDUSTRY NEWS
IT SERVICES
MOBILE
TELECOMS
WEALTH
MORE
ABOUT
The alarming truth about the number of small businesses in South Africa
Staff Writer25 July 2018

A new report by The Small Business Institute (SBI) claims that South Africa only has a quarter of a million formal small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) – some way off many other reported estimates.

Moreover, the research shows that while 98.5% of the country’s economy is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), they’re only delivering 28% of all jobs.

These sample findings are part of a comprehensive study conducted by the SBI, in partnership with the Small Business Project (SBP), which will be released in early 2019.

Previous reports put the number of SMMEs at 5.6 million – of which 3.3-million were ‘survivalist businesses, 1.7 million micro-enterprises and 554,000 small enterprises’.

According to SBI’s report, as many as 56% of jobs in South Africa are created by the 1,000 largest employers, including the government.

And the institute warned that the National Development Plan’s goal of small business creating 90% of jobs by 2030 will be stillborn unless this vital segment of our economy is properly understood.

Bernard Swanepoel, chairman of the SBI, explained that the study is intended to deliver the baseline facts needed to underpin policy interventions and strategic planning for small business development in South Africa.

It will provide fresh, accurate data to help steer the country’s small business segment in the right direction, he said.

“Right now, we are flying in the dark,” said Swanepoel. “It’s no surprise then that we can’t seem to make headway tackling unemployment and inclusive economic recovery and growth if we’re relying on guesswork. No matter how good government’s intentions are, without the facts, policy to help SMEs will be based on ideology or ignorance.”

“The early research has already made some alarming findings,” he said.

According to the report, large firms have added more jobs and grown employment at a faster rate in the 2011 to 2016 period than small business; while small firms pay more to retain staff than the larger firms (as a percentage of turnover) but are not employing people at a desirable rate.

“A matter of great concern highlighted by the review is that South Africa’s small business segment is an outlier internationally in respect of SMEs’ contribution to GDP, employment and the fiscus,” said Chris Darroll, CEO of SBP.

“For example, in OECD countries, over 95% of enterprises are SME’s, accounting for between 60%-70% of the working population and contribute as much as 60% to GDP.

“Small businesses continue to be as economically fragile as they were over two decades ago, with some 70% of our emerging small businesses failing within their first two years of operation. We need the right data to get the right answers to develop the right policies.”

The research also found that government has failed to apply a common definition of a small, very small, or medium business across its laws, regulations and key strategies. The definition of small enterprises was completely inconsistent across the 70 laws, regulations and key government strategies it reviewed.

“This lack of policy harmony generates a mind-boggling amount of red tape, confusion, and barriers for SMEs starting, running or growing their businesses despite the advent of a Department of Small Business Development tasked with coordination, red-tape reduction and data collection.

“It has failed in its mandate – the minister has yet to issue guidelines to enforce Section 18 of the Small Business Act which requires all cabinet ministers to review the impact of their actions on SMEs,” said Swanepoel.

“The only rational course of action is to shut it down and collapse it into a nimble, strategic unit in the Presidency.”

The study’s early findings confirm that despite good intentions, most small business policy and supportive initiatives developed over the years – by both the private and public sector – fail since their assumptions and data have been wrong.

In the research, for example, the CEO Initiative’s SASME Fund identified 84,000 firms with turnover between R20 million and R500 million as its ‘investable universe’ – when in fact there are more likely to be only 20,000 to 40,000 firms the fund could support.

“To meet the objectives outlined in the NDP, we need a vastly improved understanding of the business dynamics of small firms, which includes their diversity, characteristics, needs and constraints,” said Darroll.

Read: Business Partners approves over R1 billion in SME funding

Share
Share
Headline Small Business Institute

Latest news

Why South Africans are buying property in Mauritius

EFF promises to nationalise all land, banks and mines

New South African curriculum will likely include data analytics and robotics: expert
Partner Content
Showmax Documentaries
8 intriguing documentaries to watch on Showmax

Why you should consider converting to externally managed IT services
Codehesion
Redesign your website in 2019 with Codehesion
Show comments
Poll
What mobile phone brand do you use?
Apple
Samsung
Huawei
Nokia
Xiaomi
Motorola
LG
Other
View Results

Follow us
Recommended

How important is the rand in a global context?

How the NHI will change your medical aid contributions

South Africans spend over 8 hours a day online – and a third of that time is spent on social media

Facebook takes down ‘fake news’ pages targeting South Africa

Huawei announces partnership with Discovery Vitality
Follow us

Email address

03/02/2019

NTERPRISE
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) have been identified as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa and around the world. Some researchers have estimated that, in South Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises make up 91% of formalised businesses, provide employment to about 60% of the labour force and total economic output accounts for roughly 34% of GDP.

While contributing significantly to the economy, SMEs foster diversification through their development of new and unsaturated sectors of the economy. In addition, innovative and technology-based small and medium enterprises can provide a platform for local, regional and international growth, especially in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies.

SME's are considered an important contributor to the economy as drivers for reducing unemployment, especially since the formal sector continues to shed jobs.

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SOUTH AFRICA FACE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES, SUCH AS:
Crime and corruption
Appropriate technology and low production capacity (includes access to electricity)
A lack of management skills and in adequate skilled labour
Finance and obtaining credit
Access to markets and developing relationships with customers
Recognition by large companies and government bureaucracy
Knowledge and support for the role that they play in economic development
Regulatory compliance.
The South African government is cognisant of the importance of SME's and has built frameworks for SME development and support.

THE SME SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY IS ACTIVELY PROMOTED BY A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING:
The National Small Business Act of 1996, which defines SME's and provides for the establishment of the National Small Business Council and the Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency (Ntsika).
Khula Enterprise Finance is charged with helping small and medium sized enterprises secure finance, primarily through the provision of security on behalf of small businesses to commercial banks, retail financial institutions, specialist funds and joint ventures, as well as offering loans through partner intermediaries.
In view of the significant potential SME's hold for the South African economy, it is essential to examine what kind of support and development SME's receive in a bid to realise their success and potential across the African continent. The Banking Association South Africa and member banks are committed to SME development and support through stakeholder engagement, and involvement or ownership of several initiatives.

BANKING ASSOCIATION SME DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES:
Financial Sector Charter and BBBEE
Finance and Investment Committee – Credit Extension to distressed SMEs (a response to the global crisis) – NEDLAC
Financial Sector Program (FSP) – USAID
SME Financial Literacy - BANKSETA and FSP
Risk Capital Facility (RCF) - EU fund admin by the Industrial Development Corporation
Stakeholder engagement - Gauteng Dept. of Economic Development, Industrial Development Corporation, Khula, Small Enterprise Development Agency, South African Micro-Finance Apex Fund, Development Finance Institutions, Department of Trade and Industry, and donors etc
Research and Knowledge Management.
Downstream banking and Financial Inclusion - Micro-Finance, Co-ops & Co-op banks

03/02/2019

Logo

awards
HomeArticlesThis EditionAboutMedia ReleasesEventsColumnAwardsContact Us

SIYABULELA XUZA
Rising star
March 13th, 201410 people liked this article 17 comments
Tags: siyabulela xusa, science, rocket fuel, mthatha, harvard university, department of minerals and energy
Siyabulela Xuza, South African science prodigyImage - Siyabulela Xuza 1.jpeg
At only 25, Mthatha-born scientist Siyabulela Xuza, who has often been referred to as the new Mark Shuttleworth, had a planet named after him.

When Siyabulela Xuza was a young child, he almost set his mother’s kitchen on fire while experimenting with homemade rocket fuel. To date, he has garnered worldwide acclaim for that same rocket fuel, has presented in front of dignitaries such as Steve Wozniak and Michelle Obama, met the King of Sweden and attended a Nobel Prize ceremony. Oh, and he has a minor planet named after him at age 25. Leadership sat down with this remarkable young man who is turning his attention to Africa’s energy problems.

For all his achievements, Xuza remains incredibly humble and unaffected, something that can be attributed to his upbringing in Mthatha, a small town in the Eastern Cape. “By all accounts, I had a normal upbringing. Mthatha is a small township with not a lot of resources so I learnt to use what I had at my disposal. I played a lot of soccer, but I was a very curious child, always asking questions. I had a burning desire to figure out how things worked.”

There is a heart-warming anecdote that Xuza tells about when he first fell in love with engineering. When he was 5, he was chasing the roar of a Cessna plane dropping election pamphlets over Mthatha. “It was 1994, the first year of a new democracy in South Africa, and the sight of that technological marvel ignited in me a curiosity for science and a passion for using technology to engineer an African renaissance.”

Inspired by Mark Shuttleworth’s exploration into space, Xuza began experimenting with rocket fuel. The rocket fuel, which culminated in the successful launch of a real home-built rocket, The Phoenix, achieved a final height of over a kilometre and earned him the junior South African amateur high-powered altitude record.

The rocket was propelled by Xuza’s own invention: a cheaper, safer type of rocket fuel, which became the subject of a project titled ”African Space: Fuelling Africa’s quest to space”. It won him a gold medal in the 2006 Eskom National Science Expo as well as a trip to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Sweden, where he presented his work to the Swedish king and queen.

Xuza’s homemade rocket fuel also won him the top prize in its category at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States, earning him global recognition and, perhaps more pertinently, a scholarship to Harvard University.

But Xuza is no one-trick pony. At Harvard he studied Mandarin and world music and even used his background as a praise singer to open big university events and perform if there was a class on ethnic music or African culture. Consequently, Xuza is blurring the lines between the liberal arts and science. “I truly believe that people cannot rely on purely engineering to develop the world; they need to understand art and understand society in order to put a context to whatever invention they are developing. To be a great engineer, you have to be creative. I believe that people shouldn’t be pigeon-holed into one category or another."

As an engineer by trade, Xuza’s embracing of the liberal arts at Harvard may seem contradictory, but in actual fact has served as the perfect foil to his engineering prowess, as he has gained greater understanding of societal issues that pertain not only to his immediate surroundings, but back home as well. “I did my thesis on the energy storage platform based on micro fuel cells. Too many engineers are concerned with finding the new solar power or the new technology. I am more concerned with storing energy.”

In addition to the scholarship to Harvard, Xuza also had the prestigious honour of having a minor planet named after him by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in recognition of his innovation in homemade rocket fuel. The minor planet, with an orbital period of four years, was discovered in 2000 and renamed “23182 siyaxuza” in recognition of Siya’s achievements at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

In 2011 he became a fellow of the Kairos Society, a global network of top student and global leaders using entrepreneurship and innovation to solve the world’s greatest challenges. He was invited to the United Nations and the New York Stock Exchange in recognition for being one of the world’s emerging business leaders and to offer strategies for solving the world’s energy crisis.

Xuza’s journey, literally to the galaxy, has finally brought him back to South Africa. His thesis at Harvard centred on creating a storage platform based on micro fuel cells. In layman’s terms, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electric energy. Xuza’s field of expertise is energy storage and he is currently developing a sustainable model for energy storage based on micro fuel cells in South Africa. His breakthrough on fuel cell storage has recently been accepted for publication.

Xuza acknowledges that there is no simple solution to a problem as complex as energy. “I believe a multifaceted approach is needed for energy. We can’t just advocate for renewables alone, or for fossil fuel-based energy. What we need is an approach that acknowledges Africa’s abundance of fossil resources, solar, and wind and integrate that into a balanced energy supply.”

Although South Africa has the highest global platinum reserves, a key component in fuel cells, Xuza believes that it is up to our younger generation to help harness that potential. “There is an entire fuel cell programme funded by the Department of Minerals and Energy, but there remains a gap for innovators. We have to break out of this generational entitlement that we sometimes fall into in order to use what he have at our disposal and not waiting for others. We need more Africans involved as scientists, and engineers who are involved in South Africa’s energy economy.

“People don’t realise that all my work with the rocket fuel was done in South Africa. There are opportunities here, as long as you are bold and brave enough to take them.”

Xuza acknowledges that he has been extremely privileged to have met and been mentored by some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, who have helped him realise the need to pair engineering with business. “My experiences around the world have motivated my passion, which is not just engineering but entrepreneurship as well. I learnt that engineering is not a means to an end; that lies with business and entrepreneurship.”

Xuza’s story, as remarkable as it is, is unfortunately an anomaly in Africa, as there is a dearth of engineers willing to be innovators as well – something he believes is desperately needed on the continent.

“My travels around Africa have shown me that there is a need for entrepreneurship, leaders who are able to acknowledge the opportunities we have on the continent.” Xuza does, however, acknowledge the opportunity to study abroad that was granted to him, and urges any young South Africans to grasp such opportunity with both hands, should it arise.

“There are great opportunities in South Africa, especially in energy. However, studying overseas not only broadens the mind but also will give great exposure and lay the platform for when one starts one’s engineering career. If one were to get granted acceptance into Harvard, that’s just the cherry on top!”

If Xuza’s achievements were not impressive enough, he is currently the youngest member of Africa 2.0’s Energy advisory council, a pan-African committee that is looking to create a framework for Africa’s energy resources. Xuza’s role in the council is a decision-making one, and he assists in crafting that framework, which is then shared with Africa 2.0’s parent organisation, the African Union.

It is incredible to think that the responsibility of shaping Africa’s energy future falls on the shoulders of this young man. Xuza, however, remains incredibly humble and attributes much of his success to his experiences with the recently passed Tata Nelson Mandela. Xuza was Mandela’s praise singer as a youth and was lucky enough to get to know the great man on a personal level – something he remains deeply honoured by.

“I had the privilege of not only being inspired by Tata Mandela, but getting to know him and members of his family on a personal level. One of the things I learnt from him was that is not important that you succeed, but how you succeed, the values you share and the integrity you show. At the core of leadership is integrity.”

It is this integrity-driven model that is fuelling Xuza’s passion. “I’m motivated not by material things but by achieving significance.” His long-term goals centre on creating his own energy solution company, something he says will help harness Africa’s potential in the energy economy. In the interim, he is busy delivering innovation-themed talks by sharing his insights and expertise with audiences across the country.

“I’m very happy to be back in South Africa. I’m excited to be able to grow the economy as well as inspire others to do the same. I’m very passionate about developing a culture of innovation in South Africa”, he concludes.

Joseph Simon

R1
R1
R1
Trending Articles

A true legacyA true legacy(Hu)man versus machine (Hu)man versus machine The future of African e-commerceThe future of African e-commerceGet connected in 2019Get connected in 2019
This edition

Issue 399
Current

Archive

Leadership_Mag Anuva Investments is putting your tax Rands to work for a better South Africa https://t.co/0hlOilhqce https://t.co/ShHdVdXrtq
6 days - reply - retweet - favorite
Leadership_Mag SA’s Accounting Industry Prepares to Get Connected in 2019 https://t.co/zcLofXdXtV https://t.co/UCWvJZZy2n
9 days - reply - retweet - favorite
Leadership_Mag Keep up to avoid letting your business become the next Sears https://t.co/yIOTmMBU4Q https://t.co/nF1jHwHy2Q
10 days - reply - retweet - favorite


Advertise here Cape Media Logo Copyright © 2014 Cape Media. All rights reserved.
Contact | Terms and Conditions | The Waiting Room Magazine | How to Advertise

One of the first entrants to the South African 12J venture capital landscape is celebrating its fourth year of profitable returns to shareholders. Anuva Investments Ltd (Anuva)

03/02/2019

MENU
Lionesses of Africa Website
THE PRIDE OF AFRICA'S WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS. JOIN THE COMMUNITY | NEWSLETTERS

Screenshot 2015-08-14 15.35.21.png
SIBONGILE SAMBO
Pioneering founder of the first 100% Black-Female-Owned Aviation Company in South Africa
Founder & CEO of SRS Aviation
Country: South Africa
Sector: Aviation
Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.

Sibongile's pioneering entrepreneurial spirit has earned her a string of accolades and awards. She is also is passionate about mentoring young women, helping them become pilots, leaders and entrepreneurs.

SibongileSambo.jpg
Follow Sibongile:
iconmonstr-facebook-4-icon.png
4605833697.png
linkedin.png
icon-rss.png
youtube-4-512_zpsbfad3656.png
LoA Social Media Buttons.002.png
Sibongile's Startup Story
Born in 1974 in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa, Sibongile Sambo showed an interest in aircraft from an early age, watching planes flying overhead and wondering one day if she would fly in those planes herself to different countries, meeting different people. Although her early career took her into the human resources environment, with companies such as De Beers and City Power, her dream of being involved in the aviation sector never left her. In 2003, with the South African government passing Black Economic Empowerment Act enabling people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to enter and participate in economic life as entrepreneurs, Sibongile saw an opportunity to fulfill her aviation dreams. However, having no prior experience in the sector, nor the capital to purchase an aircraft, this posed an initial challenge, but not one that would deter Sibongile from realizing her dreams.

Sibongile’s first taste of success in the aviation sector came as a result of the winning of a tender issued by the South African government for aviation firms to bid on a contract for cargo transport. Her company, SRS Aviation was part of a joint venture with another firm. Although this collaborative project offered a golden opportunity to enter the industry, the other company soon withdrew, leaving Sambo to learn the contracting process on her own....

Read more about Sibongile's startup story →

Sibongile is a great example of an African woman entrepreneur having a dream and making it a reality. What makes it all the more inspirational is that she is doing it in an industry sector that is one of the toughest to break into, as a result breaking down barriers to entry for determined women going forward. --- Melanie Hawken, LoA founder & editor-in-chief
What's behind SRS Aviation?....
"The company's objective is not only to capitalise on this market but also to take the business of flying to our people. There's still a lot that can be contributed in this field and I have taken the initiative to educate young black people about the aviation industry."

“I’ve always loved airplanes – I wished that one day I would have access to these machines that would fly by.”

Sibongile's personal mantra:

"I know who I am not;
I can never forget where I come from;
I know where I am going;
To reach for my dreams and conquer the challenges;
I will dare to be different;
and with proper guidance and direction and with God on my side;
Nothing is impossible;
I am indeed a Future Leader."

Featured
Follow Sibongile making news
VIDEO: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of South African aviation - shares her entrepreneurial journey with CNN
Jan 31, 2016
VIDEO: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of South African aviation - shares her entrepreneurial journey with CNN
Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. This week, CNN’s African Start-Up featured this pioneering woman entrepreneur whose love for flying has paved the way to a successful private aviation business.


Africa's Top 100 Young Business Leaders List Features 7 Women Entrepreneurs
Nov 5, 2014
Africa's Top 100 Young Business Leaders List Features 7 Women Entrepreneurs
This month, the Choiseul Institute of France has just published its inaugural list of Africa’s 100 Most Promising Young Business Leaders Under the Age of 40, and making the rankings are seven women entrepreneurs, our Lionesses of Africa.


Sibongile Sambo featured on Forbes list of 'Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch In 2013'
Jul 15, 2013
Sibongile Sambo featured on Forbes list of 'Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch In 2013'
Read the full Forbes list of 'Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch In 2013' featuring Sibongile Sambo.


Sibongile Sambo: Meet this pioneering female aviation entrepreneur
Nov 18, 2012
Sibongile Sambo: Meet this pioneering female aviation entrepreneur
Ventures Africa features a fascinating article on Sibongile Sambo, South Africa's high flying aviation entrepreneur that is making waves in a traditionally male dominated industry. It appears, the sky's the limited for this tenacious and hardworking 'Lioness of Africa'.

Read the full article.


The 10,000 Women Initiative of Goldman Sachs features South Africa's high flying aviation pioneer Sibingile Sambo
Jun 1, 2010
The 10,000 Women Initiative of Goldman Sachs features South Africa's high flying aviation pioneer Sibingile Sambo
The 10,000 Women Initiative of Goldman Sachs has featured South Africa's high flying aviation pioneer Sibingile Sambo as a case-study.

Read the Case-Study of South Africa's Sibongile Sambo and SRS Aviation.


Entrepreneur Advice
Learn from Sibongile's entrepreneur playbook
Fear nothing....

"I’m a risk taker. I fear nothing. When I apply my mind to do something, I go for it. The worst answer I can ever get is a ‘NO,’ but NO will never kill me. I wake-up the following day and do something different. For me it is the positive attitude I have in life. It has carried me to today."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners. Read Sibongile's full LoA profile here.


Top advice for any aspiring entrepreneur....

"Go into business with an open mind. Know you can have a very good business idea, but be prepared that sometimes the environment will not allow you to achieve it. Be flexible. Think out of the box. Think about ways to diversify. Think of ways to be profitable at all times. Once you are in business it does come down to profitability. It doesn't help to be so passionate about something that is not bringing in money for you. You should be able to realize profits. If you can’t make money from the initial idea, then alter it to help keep you afloat."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Being a good communicator improves your chances of success as an entrepreneur ....

“Being able to communicate with people at different levels has probably benefited me most in my career.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Positive attitude is key to success in business.....

"You need to have a good attitude. Running a business is never easy. You will meet people that will try to run you down. You will have cases where you will want to loose your temper. Always having a good attitude will help grow with your business."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Two key things you must do to be successful as an entrepreneur.....

"One, you need to persevere on the business you’re running. Two, you need to network; you can’t stay in isolation. You need to network at conferences at the same level. This also gives you an opportunity to give input to other people and stay abreast of politics."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Be willing to make mistakes - just learn from them and move on....

“My background gives me that platform to become a strong woman. I started living away from my parents from the age of five or six, which gave me a lot of independence. For me, managing in an environment that is very male dominated just comes naturally. It comes from a confidence and willingness to learn, but also from the willingness to make mistakes, learn from them and move on.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Women entrepreneurs can make it in male dominated industries....

“Most people saw my entry into the sector as very awkward, and initially, people never took me seriously. I had to prove myself more than 10 times. However, I told them I’m here, I’m here to stay, I’m here to grow this business, and I’m here to make changes as well, because I’m young, I’m very innovative and I want to bring a new spice into the industry.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Networking and gathering market intelligence are powerful weapons....

“Doing this hasn’t always been easy, but as soon as men are aware that you’re as intelligent as, or more intelligent than they are, they take you seriously. So I stay knowledgeable; I read continuously and attend conferences and industry events regularly.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


On receiving awards and recognition as an entrepreneur ....

“These awards show that I’m heading in the right direction. It also means that the business of aviation is my playground. I plan to take SRS Aviation to greater heights and become the leader in this business.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Videos
Essential videos featuring sibongile
VIDEO: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of South African aviation - shares her entrepreneurial journey with CNN
Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. This week, CNN’s African Start-Up featured this pioneering woman entrepreneur whose love for flying has paved the way to a successful private aviation business.


Video: eNCA profiles Sibongile Sambo - Pioneering woman of aviation
Video: eNCA profiles Sibongile Sambo - Pioneering woman of aviation
Source: eNCA | Published on Aug 29, 2014

eNCA profiles remarkable women in a series called August Women. Sibongile Sambo turned her dream of flight to reality by becoming the first black female to own an aviation company in South Africa.


Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 1/4)
Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 1/4)
Source: Wisdom Exchange TV | Published on Jun 24, 2014

Part 1 Expertise ... Wisdom Exchange TV takes us to Johannesburg, South Africa, introducing a pioneer in the aviation industry. Sibongile Sambo is the Founder and Managing Director of SRS Aviation, the first 100% black female owned aviation company providing professional and personalized flight options to destinations around the world.


Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 2/4)
Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 2/4)
Source: Wisdom Exchange TV | Published on Jun 24, 2014

Part 2 - Philosophies ... Wisdom Exchange TV takes us to Johannesburg, South Africa, introducing a pioneer in the aviation industry. Sibongile Sambo is the Founder and Managing Director of SRS Aviation, the first 100% black female owned aviation company providing professional and personalized flight options to destinations around the world.


Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 3/4)
Video: Sibongile Sambo - pioneering woman of aviation - is interviewed by Wisdom Exchange TV (Part 3/4)
Source: Wisdom Exchange TV | Published on Jun 25, 2014

Part 3 - Conscious Contributions™ ... Wisdom Exchange TV takes us to Johannesburg, South Africa, introducing a pioneer in the aviation industry. Sibongile Sambo is the Founder and Managing Director of SRS Aviation, the first 100% black female owned aviation company providing professional and personalized flight options to destinations around the world.


VIDEO: SIBONGILE SAMBO - PIONEERING WOMAN OF AVIATION - IS INTERVIEWED BY WISDOM EXCHANGE TV (PART 4/4)
VIDEO: SIBONGILE SAMBO - PIONEERING WOMAN OF AVIATION - IS INTERVIEWED BY WISDOM EXCHANGE TV (PART 4/4)
Source: Wisdom Exchange TV | Published on Jun 25, 2014

Part 4 - Leadership Lessons ... Wisdom Exchange TV takes us to Johannesburg, South Africa, introducing a pioneer in the aviation industry. Sibongile Sambo is the Founder and Managing Director of SRS Aviation, the first 100% black female owned aviation company providing professional and personalized flight options to destinations around the world.


Video: Sibongile Sambo introduces her aviation business
Video: Sibongile Sambo introduces her aviation business
Sibongile Sambo the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black female-owned aviation services company in South Africa, launched in 2004 introduces the integrated range private aviation services her company offers to South Africans and international clients including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world.


Quotes
Be inspired by Sibongile's words
Quote of the Day by Sibongile Sambo
“I have a philosophy that I’m where I am today because somebody invested in me. It’s my opportunity now to invest in other people.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day by Sibongile Sambo
"Nobody will see you if you are sitting in your own corner. You have to go out there, you have to be visible, to do something to be able to get even more support and assistance,"
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day
"I used to watch my mother negotiate at the market. People may not look at their mothers’ as a leader, but they truly have all the skills that demonstrate leadership."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day
"As women in Africa we have so many industries we can get involved in, embrace them, however, we must not forget our responsibilities at home."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day
"I have a philosophy; I question my intention, why am I living in this world? It is tough, and it gets lonely. The harder you work, the lonelier it gets."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day
“Being able to pe*****te a male-dominated industry has been a career highlight.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Quote of the Day
“It hasn’t been easy, it’s been a huge task but it’s been worth every sleepless night I’ve endured. The company is now well established and is a growing enterprise, with an annual turnover of R54 million. To me, that alone is an incredible achievement.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.


Social Impact

Awards & Accolades
Sibongile's awards and honours include:

2006 – BWA Regional Business Woman of the Year Award
2006 - Black Women in Business Award in London
2006 - the SRS Aviation Fidentia Award
2006 – Impumelelo Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award
2006 - Top Emerging Gender Empowered Company Award
2006 – Finalist at the Cosmopolitan Movers of the Year Award
2007 - Named a Leader of Tomorrow by the Fortune Magazine
2008 – Recipient of the BMF Presidential Award in the category of Youth Business Leadership
2009 - nominated for the Queen Victoria Memorial Award (International Socrates Award) by the Europe Business Assembly in London.
2010 – Recipient of the IWEC - International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge

ABOUT US | CONTACT US | TERMS OF SERVICE | COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

© 2018 LIONESSES OF AFRICA PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.