Stellenbosch Network Opens Programme to upskill local entrepreneurs

The Stellenbosch Network Entrepreneurial Mentorship Programme, an initiative aimed at supporting and upskilling budding entrepreneurs, has officially opened for applications. 

Applications close on 1 March 2021

Conducted over eight months, the programme aims to equip selected participants with the skills and knowledge to grow their business and improve their management skills with mentorship provided by experienced business moguls. 

The Stellenbosch Network Entrepreneurial Mentorship Programme

The programme is flexible and aims to fit the busy schedule of entrepreneurs and business owners allowing selected participants to organise their sessions with mentors. 

Selected participants of the programme will receive two-hours of mentee training and will be briefed on how to prepare and make the most of the mentee and mentorship relationship. 

Over the course of the programme, mentees who have been paired with a mentor will receive at least 12 hours of mentorship support. 

Hanli Brink, Operations Manager at Stellenbosch Network comments on the importance of one-on-one mentorship for budding entrepreneurs. 

“Feedback received from our previous initiatives indicates that entrepreneurs who frequently engage with a mentor develop better decision-making skills. They also tend to feel more inspired to tackle the various challenges associated with starting one’s own business and the feelings of isolation, which many people feel when pursuing entrepreneurship, are reduced.”

Applications for the programme can be found here and must be submitted to hanli@stellenboschnetwork.co.za. Applications close on 1 March 2021. 

Requirements

Interested applicants must adhere to the following requirements to qualify for the programme: 

• Be a full-time owner of a business that has been operating for at least 12 months, not employing more than 15 people, and with a maximum annual turnover of R1.5-million.

•  Not be in the employment of another company while running their current business and have no previous management education at tertiary level.

• Be a South African citizen aged 23 years or older, with a Grade 12 school-leaving certificate (although applications may be looked at on a case-by-case basis if applicants have not completed Matric/Grade 12).

• Be proficient in English and live or work in the Stellenbosch or Franschhoek area. They must also be willing and available to receive at least 12 hours of mentoring support for the duration of the Programme.

• Be able to travel to training sessions at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch. (Please note that accommodation is not provided.)

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Featured image: Mario Gogh via Unsplash