An entrepreneur’s journey. It Starts Here.

At the SAB Foundation, we walk the journey with our entrepreneurs from seed phase to accelerator, and beyond, to ensure their businesses are able to grow to sustainable new heights.

Through our campaign, It Starts Here, we introduce you to some of our talented social innovators who are making a tangible difference in their communities.

These individuals have committed themselves to building their businesses, and with the support from the SAB Foundation they have achieved great success.

Lesego Holzapfel, founder of Bee Loved Honey, has created eight jobs and impacted more than 60 beekeepers.

With funding and skills development support from the SAB Foundation, Bee Loved Honey is now listed with retailers and exclusive markets. Lesego’s turnover has since increased by 40% and she has also launched an e-commerce store which has further increased sales. 

Oxolo Mofokeng, founder of Natural Ingredients, started her business with one big idea – to develop a solution that empowers emerging farmers to grow bulbine to manufacture cosmetic products.

After receiving grant funding and business mentorship from the SAB Foundation, she now supports 1 000 young farmers, 187 elderly farmers and has created 40 new jobs.

Sibusiso Ndlovu, founder of Rooibanch, is a Mpumalanga based start-up which grows moringa and uses the plant to manufacture moringa juice.

After receiving mentorship and grant funding through the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme, he purchased five trucks and machinery. He now supplies the Spar group with his products. He has also created 30 jobs and has increased his turnover year-on-year.

Thabiso Mncwabe is the founder of a youth owned business, Twin Twice Tissue, that manufactures toilet paper.

With grant funding, mentorship, and business skills development support through the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme, he was able to purchase machinery and raw materials, and open a second manufacturing factory. His sales have increased by 150% and he has a fleet of four company vehicles. He has created 26 new jobs and has increased his turnover each year.

Molemo Motshwane founded Urban Mobility, a solution that provides customers with motorbike drivers and motorbikes and provides free training for unemployed youth. 

After receiving grant funding and business skills development support through the SAB Foundation’s Social Innovation Awards, Molemo created 12 jobs and 27 people have found work as delivery drivers in his business. He has added two vehicles to his fleet, purchased three motorbikes and has achieved an annual turnover increase of 25%.

Tieho Tsiane, founder of the Ka-dah device, designed an innovation that assists visually impaired individuals to navigate their phones without the need to touch, hold or tap the screens.

With funding and business skills development support from the SAB Foundation, Tieho is manufacturing 300 devices for market testing with the Council of the Blind. He has created three part-time employment opportunities for the local youth and is launching an educational website and blog to create awareness about visually impaired individuals.

They are all reaching new heights and growing their businesses.

 But they are just beginning.