• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Sign in Sign up

Activate!

Activate!

Sign in Sign up
  • Online Courses
  • Publications
  • Events
  • Podcasts
  • Find Activators
Menu
  • Online Courses
  • Publications
  • Events
  • Podcasts
  • Find Activators

S.A Business Case Study Article

SA case study takes story of township entrepreneurial success to...
  • Sectors: A! Youth Economic Participation
  • Skills: Business Development

SA case study takes story of township entrepreneurial success to the world

 ISSUED BY: UCT GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

A UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) teaching case study on how an entrepreneurial township business is uplifting communities around South Africa has been shortlisted in the 2018 CEEMAN Case Writing Competition.

When Luvuyo Rani and his brother Lonwabo started a tiny information and communication technologies (ICT) business selling refurbished computers from the boot of his car in 2004, he little knew what lay ahead. Today, Silulo Ulutho Technologies is a company with more than 46 stores, 21 franchises and 220 employees around South Africa that is making a difference in the lives of thousands of South Africans.

Silulo’s remarkable business success has now been captured in a case study – written up by the UCT Graduate School of Business – that has been shortlisted out of more than 38 case studies from 17 countries from around the world in the prestigious 2018 CEEMAN Case Writing Competition.

In a first for South Africa, the teaching case study has also been translated into isiXhosa in order to make it more accessible – especially to other aspiring township entrepreneurs.

“There are not many business school case studies that look at entrepreneurship that has a social impact and this is where Silulo Ulutho Technologies really stands out,” says Claire Barnardo, UCT GSB Case Writing Centre Manager. “Entrepreneurship with a focus on inclusion and social impact is tougher to take on, it requires grit and resilience. Silulo is a shining example of upliftment as well as good business principles.”

Written by Eckard Smuts, Sophia Campello Beckwith, Ncedisa Nkonyeni, Ella Scheepers and Dr François Bonnici, former director of the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the UCT GSB, the case study is one of two UCT GSB case studies that made it in the top nine of the CEEMAN Case Writing Competition.

“The story of Silulo Ulutho Technologies is a home-grown success story that can inform a new academic paradigm for African business schools – rather than relying on academic theories imported from the West to tell us how to innovate,” says principal researcher Eckard Smuts.

Smuts says working on the study opened his eyes to what entrepreneurship was really all about – especially in the inadequately serviced areas that Silulo operates in. “They had to defy the odds every step of the way, fighting to set up their businesses in townships when no-one gave them a chance and they constantly had to defy expectations of failure.”

The case study also explores how Silulo was able to adapt its business model as internet access increased along with the introduction of smartphones in the townships. The company started offering more business-related services as well as business partnerships and mentoring and networking platforms along with computer-related training courses. The guiding principle of all their services is always to uplift the community. Study case co-author, Ncedisa Nkonyeni, adds, “These entrepreneurs have a more embedded understanding of relevance and a more collectivist approach to their role in the community and towards their clients.”

Even after numerous awards and significant financial return, Rani along with his brother and Nandipha Matshoba, who are both partners in the business, continue to help others through securing loans for individuals to open franchises, mentoring young entrepreneurs and creating networks for other businesspeople to succeed. In 2018, the company also opened the Silulo Business Incubation Hub in Mitchells Plain, to help young entrepreneurs in various aspects of setting up and launching their business.

Rani says it was an honour and a privilege for the company to be selected as the subject of the case study. “The impact of what we have done and achieved and the fact that it can be read in isiXhosa is very exciting for us, it means it reaches a much bigger audience.”

The wider academic significance of teaching case studies like this one is also important to Barnardo. “This case study is part of a new wave of learning materials that we are putting together at the UCT GSB, showing business students successful role models in business in a local context. This story will go on to inspire and prepare future business leaders. It is Afro-centric and promotes a collective approach to business.”

Share

PrevPreviousCombating Gender based violence on public transport
NextGUIDE ON HOW TO E-FILE YOUR PROVISIONAL TAX RETURNNext

Related resources

How to Approach your Employer to Ask for Flexibility

Read More »

CSIR SUPPORTS NATIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE WITH LOCALLY DEVELOPED VENTILATOR

Read More »

SiMODiSA DIGITAL PORTAL

Read More »

Follow Us

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin-in Youtube

Contact


Cape Town

  • +27878204873
  • communications@activateleadership.co.za
  • 152 Main Road, Muizenberg, Muizenberg Cape Town 7945


Johannesburg

  • +27878204874
  • communications@activateleadership.co.za
  • 708 South Point Corner, 87 De Korte Street Braamfontein Johannesburg

Network

  • Events
  • Blog
Menu
  • Events
  • Blog

© Copyright – Activate! | Co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW and the DG Murray Trust | Site by Superseed Studio

All copyrights reserved for. The data presented here is from a sample of the Activate Change Drivers Network surveyed in 2017. Though efforts were made to make the sample representative of the Network, normal limits of sampled data should be considered in the use of this data. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Siyashesha Leadership Incubator, the managing entity of the A! Change Drivers programmes and A! Change Drivers Network. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or any benefit arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.
      Clear Clear All

      We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

      You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

      Strictly Necessary Cookies

      Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

      If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.