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BUSINESS: South Africans Are Born Entrepreneurs
Recent Gauteng Business News
South Africa is an ideal place to foster entrepreneurial spirit according to Softline CEO, Ivan Epstein. “The historic closed-door policy has encouraged a climate of self sufficiency and lateral thinking for South Africans. Epstein says that this way of thinking was further boosted by the post 1994 transformation. “The desire to succeed by South Africans has resulted in the birth of tremendous entrepreneurial talent in South Africa. This has resulted in an entrepreneurial culture which continues to blossom locally.” The significant number of influential role models locally also influenced the growth and evolution of the entrepreneurial sector according to Epstein. “We have a local culture which is receptive to the influences of role models and in terms of entrepreneurship; these role models are quite possibly the most powerful way people learn about succeeding in business.”
As opposed to other societies that for the most part conform to a job and workplace, South Africans tend to function well without traditional boundaries according to Epstein. “Plato said that necessity is the mother of invention and I agree. A ‘can do’ positive attitude, which is very evident in South Africa, often helps entrepreneurs succeed. I am a very proud South African entrepreneur and believe in the immense potential we have now and in the future.”
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