Economic growth is impacted through the infusion of new ideas, and entrepreneurs are often the catalysts for these ideas. But what is the state of entrepreneurship and small business in South Africa? How does SA compare to middle-income countries and our African neighbours?
Join us for this session to discuss why small business is essential for economic revitalisation and strategic renewal in South Africa and what can and should be done by the government, civil society, and the start-up sector to encourage and support the growth of small, and medium enterprises in the country. In partnership with: 
Speakers:
Silas Matlala
Silas Matlala is the Managing founder of The Khanyisile Centre, a Strategic Marketing consultancy service with clientele across Marketing & Communication agencies, FinTech, FMCG, and Resources. Silas joined GIBS in 2013 as adjunct faculty, and continues to teach and facilitate across multiple disciplines, covering marketing strategy, social entrepreneurship, business development, and sales, within both the academic and executive education areas. He is also a coach, mentor, and adjudicator on the GIBS’ Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA). Silas’ career spans across multiple multi-national companies, including Nielsen, Colgate-Palmolive, Kellogg’s, Tiger Brands, and Nedbank; within the Customer Insights, Market Research and Planning, and Category Strategic Marketing. His last corporate gig was as Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Nedbank Insurance division. Silas has since co-founded a hospitality establishment in Ekurhuleni, fulfilling his long-held passion of “consistently striving to deliver superior Customer Experience”.
Pavlo Phitidis
As an entrepreneur and investor, Pavlo Phitidis boasts more than 25 years of direct experience in conceptualizing and building businesses across four continents. He has developed and brought to market business assets in excess of $400m through a combination of business start-ups, turnarounds, sales, and acquisitions. His business Aurik Business Accelerator has worked with more than 2000 businesses across all sectors of the economy. This provides Pavlo with a cross-continent and sectoral view of the business.
In addition to his work as a business consultant, Pavlo Phitidis has become renowned for his common-sense advice used on many media platforms, most notably on Talk Radio 702, where he has a regular slot on The Money Show with Bruce Whitfield. Pavlo has proved his versatility in writing a number of successful business books. His latest book Reset, Rebuild and Reignite is a must-read for any person who needs guidance when running a business.
Abdullah Verachia
Abdullah serves as the CEO of The Strategists, where he plays an active role in assisting companies and organisations craft competitive future strategies. He has significant expertise in strategy, competitiveness and sector trends and facilitates a number of high level strategy sessions and breakaways for companies and governments and also speaks globally in this area. He led the team that crafted the 2017 - 2030 Gauteng Economic Development Strategy with the Premier and Executive Council. He also led the 2017 Mauritius Competitiveness foresight strategy, He also plays a lead role on the Oxford University and Gates Foundation programme on South Africa in a Digital Age. Having presented and consulted in over 60 cities globally Abdullah has been recognised as a leading speaker, disruptor, strategist and thought leader on competitiveness and the interplay between strategy and disruptive innovation. His experience makes him a sought-after global speaker in these areas. In December 2017 Abdullah received a standing ovation at the acclaimed TEDx Euston in London.
Date: 10 August 2022Time: 13h00 - 14h00
Cost: Free
