Recently in Cape Town, at the opening of the Arts Week Indaba 2016 organized by the DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPORT (DCAS) I heard a number of very interesting speakers on relevant topics.
Among the many ideas put forward was that of entrepreneurship as a way of generating an income. I support this concept but it is definitely not the answer to all our economic woes.
There are two forms of entrepreneurship – survival and then the person who sees things from a different aspect and is prepared to work very hard, often for not too big a return, simply to achieve their objective – whatever that may be.
The rate of success of this type of small business development is often limited due to certain factors – lack of resources, lack of training, lack of a strong work ethic, lack of understanding of the market.
The more impoverished a community is the less chance of individuals achieving their expectations. There are wonderful success stories that are held up as examples of what can be achieved. But people are different and some have a desire to achieve without the mind-set and emotional strength that this takes.
An enormous stumbling block for many is the red tape involved. Ideas, knowledge, strong work ethic can all be in place but the red tape that encircles many areas of business life can strangle the individual who is already doing multiple tasks to create, market and develop the business.
Monica Newton deputy director-general Arts and Culture Promotion and Development of DAC presented a well constructed and idea stimulating talk on all kinds of possibilities.
Whether any people in the audience will be able to implement some of these really useful ideas remains to be seen. I sincerely hope that many choose to run with some of the ideas because there are many options and opportunities.
We should all encourage people to help themselves because as soon as they realize it is up to them to achieve the doors start opening. We have lived in a politically and economically paternalistic society for way too long and will continue to do so until we each take control of our own lives.
I look forward to hearing from our future or current entrepreneurs.