Wesgro, The Western Cape Destination Marketing, Investment and Trade Promotion Agency hosted a Tourism Networking Session, the bringing together of provincial stakeholders, emerging and established entrepreneurs. Hosted at the Protea Hotel – Breakwater Lodge in the V&A Waterfront today, the informative session focused on Successful Tourism Brand Development. The speakers programme included Mr Solly Moeng, the Senior Consultant of Don Valley Brand and Jacyntha Maclennan, head of Wesgro Intelligence Unit. Jacyntha said “Domestic tourism from the Western Cape accounted for 34.7% of total tourist arrivals to the region, indicating importance of local tourism to the economy and can be considered to be a market that could be developed in the future to further stimulate the appetite for domestic travel and tourism.” She also reported that the in the first quarter of 2012, tourist arrivals to the Western Cape grew by 12.3% quarter-on-quarter from 2011 to reach 426,348...

By Dr Vijay Bahadur It has been my experience that a lack of planning and research and failing to be prepared will cost you. Setting and achieving goals starts with having a plan. You have to define your long term goals, what you ultimately want to achieve, as well as your short term goals that detail the steps to be taken on the way to achieving your long term goals. Planning and goal setting will be your guide on the path to success.      Losing sight of your ultimate objective is a risk when one falls into the trap of reactively responding to incoming emails and telephone calls. Avoid reactive behaviour by planning and working towards a set of objectives that will help you reach your ultimate goal. With a firm goal in mind, achieving success will also require that you: Ø   Remain focused on your target every day, Ø   Follow-up every day, Ø   Supply all required documentation, Ø   Be patient, Ø   Don’t ...

In recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Property Point (Growthpoint Properties’ enterprise development programme) invites you to an inspirational evening with Herman Mashaba, legendary founder of the Black Like Me haircare product range. Drawing on some of the anecdotes from his recently released book, Black like you, Herman will share his successful entrepreneurial journey over dinner with you. He will also give you some insights on how to pursue your dream of creating a sustainable business. Shawn Theunissen, head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Growthpoint Properties and Property Point will additionally pay tribute to attendees and what they have already achieved, as well as share some of Property Point’s own success stories as a catalyst for meaningful enterprise development. The event will also see some lucky entrepreneurs winning an Amazon kindle or a signed copy of Herman Mashaba’s book, Black like you. Date: 26 November 2012 Time: 18h00 Dress code:...

Johannesburg, 15 November 2012:- The long-awaited and enticing lifetime business opportunity offered by The Fish & Chip Co through their ‘Win a franchise worth R500 000’ give-away competition drew to a close today, as soon-to-be multiple Fish & Chip Co. store-owner, Francois Beetge was announced the winner and proud new owner of his third franchise. After signing a franchise agreement, Beetge will be assisted with site selection, provided a fully constructed and workable franchise outlet complete with relevant shop specification, as well as R15,000 worth of initial marketing. The competition was open to any participants that paid a R100,000 refundable joining fee to The Fish & Chip Co within the competition period, which ran from 1 February to 31 October 2012. Beetge, says that it was never about the competition as he and his wife, Celeste put down their deposits to open two stores in Strand and Eerste Rivier, Western Cape earlier this year, so it was a massive surpr...

Considering the rising levels of unemployment, perhaps it is time to consider a career as a Real Estate Practitioner and here is why...... By Jan Davel According to Statistics South Africa, unemployment levels rose to 25.2 percent from 23.9 percent in the first quarter of 2012 . Yet many people hungry for meaningful employment have not even considered a career as a Real Estate Practitioner. In recent years the real estate industry has metamorphosed from a poorly regulated environment peppered with ‘fly-by-night’ operators, to a professional environment with Real Estate Practitioners who conform to prescribed guidelines, hold compulsory qualifications and meet other barriers to entry. As a long term career, the real estate industry now offers a solid return on investment and the excitement and safety of pursuing a career within an ever growing market. In fact, if one considers the investment of cost and time required to obtain a regular formal qualification, the real estat...