If one considers the official unemployment rate in South Africa of around 28%, the question has to be asked in which way we can change the situation around. Government has launched certain initiatives to address the situation but the reality of the situation is that a responsibility rests on each South African and each South African organization to contribute to reducing the unemployment rate, creating job opportunities and thereby contributing to the alleviation of poverty.  Currently SMEs form 95% of private sector businesses in South Africa, they thus play a major role in income distribution as one can reach people at the community level.   Due to this fact, The Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI) is of the view that training and empowerment of small business owners (SMEs) is a powerful way to improve the economic situation in South Africa and the African continent. 

With the above in mind, ASCCI, together with its Global partners, will be launching a Global Business School of Entrepreneurship (GBSE) in August 2008, at the SADC Summit of the Heads of State Annual Conference, to be held in Sandton, Johannesburg.  The School will provide accredited and non-accredited training programmes, which will be aimed at addressing the needs of and adding value to: SMEs (ASCCI members & the open market); Corporate Organizations; Government; NGOs, Chambers of Commerce and other Institutions; and Unemployed Youth and Graduates.  GBSEs comprehensive and compelling value offerings will focus on entrepreneurial, organisational and leadership development, by offering practical, high quality results focused training for SME's in the form of toolkits (self-study), accredited training, mentoring and coaching, and short courses. GBSE will thus be in the business of empowering SMEs as well as the systems they form part of, through training and development. 

GBSE will also formally launch their Global SME Business Toolkit, focused on assisting SMEs to develop sustainability through a practical day-to-day guide.  This guide will comprise many different aspects of running a business, which has been identified through an intensive research process over an extended period.  Importantly, the toolkit will also include a very comprehensive and easy-to use section on corporate governance, risk and compliance.  To support this initiative GBSE has formed a partnership with CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd, a Proudly South African organisation that specialises in conducting umbrella research on Corporate Governance.  To date CGF has focused on a combination of issues covering strategy and operations, including the manner in which good corporate governance assists SMEs to establish themselves amongst big business players.  CGF was also recently shortlisted for the “Best SME of the Year” and “Best SME Product of the Year” awards.  Further to this, we are excited to announce that the Proudly South African Campaign is supporting this business opportunity, through endorsement of the Global SME Business Toolkit.  This new venture is anticipated to set new standards for business excellence within the small and medium size business sector.