Assessing the Contribution of Mining Companies to the Development of Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This MBA thesis entitled “Assessing the Contribution of Mining Companies to the Development of Entrepreneurs” investigates the current state of entrepreneurship in South Africa, concentrating on the mining sector. The study analysed the extent to which mining companies have invested in entrepreneurship development in the areas where they operate, and the challenges that they face in promoting entrepreneurship in South Africa. A qualitative research approach and a case study design were employed, with data collected through face-to-face interviews with CSR and Enterprise and Supply Development representatives from gold and coal mining companies in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, as well as beneficiaries and participants of the mining companies' CSR and Enterprise and Supplier Development programs. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study found that entrepreneurship in South Africa faces numerous challenges, including lack of access to finance, inadequate business skills, limited market opportunities, and regulatory challenges. However, mining companies have made significant investments in entrepreneurship development in the areas where they operate through corporate social responsibility initiatives and enterprise and supplier development programs. Mining companies provide financial and non-financial support for entrepreneurship development, including funding programs, loans, mentorship, and training programs. The study also found that mining companies face several challenges in promoting entrepreneurship in South Africa, among them is the absence of a culture of entrepreneurship in mining communities, limited access to finance and resources, and regulatory challenges. Despite these challenges, iv beneficiaries, and participants of mining companies' CSR and ESD initiatives generally perceived the programs as supportive of the development of their entrepreneurial ventures. Finally, the study recommended strategies that mining companies can adopt to enhance their contribution to the development of entrepreneurship in the country. Overall, this study offers insightful information about the function of mining companies in promoting entrepreneurship and highlights the importance of their continued investment in entrepreneurship development in South Africa.