AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP DILEMA: A Closer Look into the Challenges in South Africa

BY

William Roy Goldstone¹, Noor Un Nisa²

¹Director: Innovation Technology Business Incubator (InvoTech) Durban, South Africa

²Exeed College, Westford education group, Sharjah

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate general public sector entrepreneurship practice in South Africa across multiple industry sectors.

Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews public sector policy on entrepreneurship initiatives undertaken since 2010 and the impact that it’s had on the South African entrepreneurship ecosystem.  Literature reviewed included available public documents, speeches made by Ministers of Economic Development and the Presidency and is further supported by reports from Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), the entity responsible for entrepreneurial development.

Findings – This article highlights the foundational areas of progress achieved to date. It further identifies factors leading to unimpressive entrepreneurial and economic results by entrepreneurs as a result of external factor efforts.  It identifies the key impediments to entrepreneurial success and, suggests a think tank to examine and report on progress made, and to illuminate the obstacles that make entrepreneurial success difficult within the South African context. 

Social implications – Underestimating the importance of community stakeholders and the poor leadership of government regulatory bodies leads to limited commitments to environmental ethics accountability by petroleum and chemical manufacturing industries operating in the Durban South Basin. Naturally, this is resulting in growing tension and a perception of unequal treatment by some groups leading to a series of protest actions and litigation.

Originality/value – The article develops a narrative perceptive report from community residents and stakeholders. It glosses over established literature on overall ethical practice, makes a comparative analysis and recommends a pathway for business and community leadership to adopt for sustainability reasons.

Keywords: Austerville, Wentworth, Durban South Basin, Everyday Ethics, Ethical and Moral Leadership, Community Stakeholders, Petroleum and Chemical manufacturing industries, Theoretical analysis.