“TSIBA saw a clear gap in the market for a formalised, academic course aimed specifically at those professionals who work closely with entrepreneurs and small business owners to develop their businesses to ensure that they are profitable and sustainable. Entrepreneurs need expert mentorship and coaching to guide their venture through both the incubation and growth stage," says Leigh Meinert, CEO and Co-founder of TSIBA Business School. “TSIBA was founded in 2004 as a not-for-profit, registered and accredited business school with the mission of being an innovative learning community which graduates entrepreneurial leaders who promote social change. This is why the PGDip SEC is such a natural extension to TSIBA’s innovative offerings in helping fulfill this mission.”
TSIBA’s Dean, Pearl Pugin, explains how this programme supports the national economy: “The South African Total Entrepreneurship Activity (TEA) index is at less than 5% - less than half of any other comparable nation. Entrepreneurial activity fails simply because people do not know what they are doing: entrepreneurs often have no managerial or financial skills and no help nor mentorship. It is also clear from research that most interventions are not successful; this is exactly why we are so passionate about the accredited PGDip SEC which is based on TSIBA’s 15 years of experience working with grassroots entrepreneurs and support organisations.”
The PGDip SEC curriculum combines layers of knowledge and practical learning, in line with TSIBA's philosophy. Students select entrepreneurs for their experiential learning capstone project and consult with their chosen entrepreneur during and after each block release. In the process, students understudy the entrepreneurial journey and offer support using the acquired tools of business fundamentals, entrepreneurial creativity, leadership, and mentoring and coaching. "As a specialist qualification focusing on entrepreneurship development, PGDip SEC gave me the perspective and the skills (both hard and soft) to understand the unique world of small businesses," says Annelien Dean, TSIBA Alumnus, and business owner.
The course consists of nine core modules including a practical learning component. Core modules include: Entrepreneurship, Applied Coaching and Mentoring, Entrepreneurial Finance, Leadership and Self Development, Business Communication and Information Management, Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business and Small Enterprise Consulting. Electives include Global Entrepreneurial Business and Social Entrepreneurship.
Join the 2019 cohort!
Requirements for this qualification include a three-year Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of four years of business experience at managerial level. The course is accredited and is worth 120 credits which is the stipulated criteria for application for further studies into relevant Masters Programmes. TSIBA is a registered, accredited institution. Scholarships are available to interested students with financial constraints.
The course will commence in May 2019 at the TSIBA campus in Pinelands. For more information contact the Postgraduate Convenor Reidwaan Jawoodeen on 021 532 2750 or email az.ca.abist@yduts.
