The SAB Foundation has selected 20 finalists for its 2019 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards. The final winners will be announced at an official awards ceremony on Wednesday, 09 October 2019.

Johannesburg. 09 September 2019. The SAB Foundation has selected 17 finalists in its 9th annual Social Innovation Awards 2019 and 3 finalists in its 4th annual Disability Empowerment Awards. The final winners will be announced at an official awards ceremony on Wednesday, 09 October 2019.

Gender equality is one of the United Nation’s (UN) sustainable development goals which they claim is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful and prosperous world.

The SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme is looking for entrepreneurs who are passionate and dedicated to growing the economy and creating jobs.

In South Africa, small businesses are a driving force for economic growth and job creation. However, start-up failure rates are still very high with 75% of small businesses closing within their first five years. To help entrepreneurs beat the odds, the SAB Foundation provides seed funding and business support to equip them with the tools they need to succeed.

By 2025, millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce and their growing influence on business is rapidly redefining our notion of success.

The SAB Foundation in partnership with the University of Limpopo has launched a Student Seed Fund and Social Entrepreneurship Competition.

The University of Limpopo, in partnership with SAB Foundation, has launched the University of Limpopo Student Seed Fund which will encourage and support student-owned social innovation enterprises.

Did you know that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa make up 91% of formalised businesses, provide employment to about 60% of the workforce, and contribute roughly 34% to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP)? These statistics are just a small indicator of the value that SMEs bring to our country.