Applications open for SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme (South Africa)

They are looking for entrepreneurs who are focused on boosting their business growth and achieving new levels of success.

The SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme supports entrepreneurs to become successful and resilient business owners through extensive entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship, market readiness support, access to markets, financial and investment readiness support and practical business tools and templates. Through connections to peers around the country, they build a powerful network of opportunities for participants long after the programme has ended. The programme prioritises thriving entrepreneurial ventures that are owned and managed by historically disadvantaged groups (i.e. black people, women, youth, people living with disabilities and those living in rural areas) so as to help redress socioeconomic challenges faced by these marginalised groups.

The SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme challenges participants to grow their businesses by thinking, planning and acting differently.

What is on offer in this programme?

• Leadership development:
  • Successful businesses are built on a combination of business skills, personal skills and leadership skills. They follow this holistic approach and place as much focus on leadership development and confidence-building as all the other facets of the
• Practical skills development:
  • Five dynamic workshops form an important part of the programme and attendance at these sessions is compulsory. The presentations are practical and facilitated by experienced entrepreneurs, and the topics include Personal Transformation and Strategic Planning, Costing and Pricing, Sales and Marketing, Human Resource Management and Accounting and Financial Management for Small Businesses.
• Mentoring and coaching:
  • Participants have access to a personal mentor for up to four hours per month. In addition to the mentor, ongoing support and guidance from portfolio coordinators and the programme manager is on offer. Targeted consulting support including technical specialists, process engineering, compliance support and investment readiness are also on offer.
• Online information sessions:
  • A number of online information sharing sessions will take place over the course of the programme. These sessions contribute to knowledge sharing, skills building and peer learning and networking.
• Market readiness interventions:
  • A wide variety of bespoke market readiness interventions are available for business leaders to select from in alignment with their market readiness needs including brand building, sales and marketing tools, media opportunities, etc.
• Access to resources:
  • Participants will have access to resources in the fields of legislation and compliance, business development, market access, access to finance and media relations.
• Performance tracking:
  • The monitoring and evaluation of business data allows the team to identify individual challenges that require support interventions. This data also allows the Tholoana Enterprise Programme team to track the performance, giving an overview that shows your performance in relation to your peers. Financial information, management accounts and jobs data are submitted on a monthly basis.
• Peer-to-peer community and networking:
  • In addition to the networking opportunities facilitated at the workshops, a digital peer-to-peer platform enables participants to share information, collaborate and discuss common challenges. Active participation in peer group activities is required.
• Financial Management Support
  • Financial Management Support: Effective financial management is key to the success of any business, yet it is an element of business management that most entrepreneurs find overwhelming. The Tholoana Programme has curated a series of Financial Interventions that will ensure their entrepreneurs are financially savvy, confident and investment ready.

Eligibility Criteria 

• In 2025 they will be recruiting high-potential businesses to take up this life-changing opportunity. They prioritise selecting businesses that are owned or run by women, youth, persons with disabilities and located in rural areas. Below are specific eligibility criteria that business owners need in order to apply:
  • Entrepreneur requirements:
    • The applicant should be resilient, self-motivated and driven to succeed.
    • The applicant should show a willingness to learn, grow and change.
    • The applicant should show entrepreneurial and leadership abilities.
    • The applicant is involved in the daily operations and management of the business on a full-time basis and is not employed by any other organisation.
    • The applicant is a South African citizen.
    • The applicant has the skills and experience necessary for the type of business they are engaged in.
    • The applicant is looking for business support, mentorship and skills training to take their business to the next level.
    • The applicant is committed to full participation in the programme over the18 month period.
    • The applicant is open to change and willing to drive new strategies to support the growth of their business.
    • The applicant has high moral and ethical standards and a desire to contribute to the economy of South Africa.
  • Business requirements:
    • The business is at least 51% black-owned and managed
    • The business creates jobs.
    • The business is in the early stages of growth.
    • The business is operational and has been trading for at least 12 months.
    • The business should be a going concern, commercially sustainable and viable.
    • The business is headquartered and registered (if applicable), within South African borders.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants are not eligible to apply if:
  • The applicant is an employee of the SAB Foundation, SAB Pty Ltd, SAB Miller Plc., AB-InBev and affiliates.
  • The applicant has previously received support from the SAB Foundation.
  • The business is not yet operational and is still in idea or concept phase.
  • The applicant’s operations involve any form of sex, gaming, gambling, tobacco or illegal business.
  • The business is a franchise: the applicant is a franchisor or franchisee etc.
  • The business is an NPO (not-for-profit organisation), NGO (non-governmental organisation), home-based care service organisation, community upliftment project, youth development educational organisation, etc.
  • The applicant requires sponsorship for an event, a launch, a conference, a forum, a seminar, a party or a fund-raising function, land and building acquisitions.
  • The applicant requires a bursary, a scholarship, an internship and funding in the form of studies, exchange programmes and textbooks etc.
  • The applicant requires any form of sponsorship or donations.

For more information, visit SAB Foundation.