Entrepreneurial activity is considered to be an important mechanism for economic development through job creation, innovation and its welfare effect, which has led to agrowing policy interest in entrepreneurship at a national level. Tracking Entrepreneurship in South Africa: a GEM Perspective hopes to take the reader on a journey through the key insights and findings of GEM teams from 2001 to 2009. It is hoped that this book will continue to stimulate debate about the importance of entrepreneurship in SouthAfrica, as well as to focus policy-makers’ attention on key areas that require attention if entrepreneurship is to be allowed to flourish in South Africa.

The book will look briefly at why entrepreneurship is important and will then focuson the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor project itself. Chapters 3 to 5 will provide an understanding of South Africa’s global position, will profile our entrepreneurs andwill discuss key inhibitors of entrepreneurial activity in this country. Chapter 6 looks at entrepreneurship through different lenses - for example social, youth and township entrepreneurs. Finance, or the lack thereof, is often seen by entrepreneurs as a key stumbling block. Chapter 7 provides a brief discussion on some current finance options in South Africa. The book ends with a number of recommendations which could guide policy-makers in formulating interventions that stimulate  entrepreneurship.

Any writing about entrepreneurship would, however, be incomplete if it focused only on theory and research. The most important part of entrepreneurship is the individuals who put theory into practice. The book therefore includes a number of stories highlighting the
passion, tenacity and hard work of some of South Africa’s entrepreneurs.

Download the PDF Here  GEM SA 2009 - Tracking Entrepreneurship (2.27 MB)