Cellular communications giant MTN decided to back ‘Pitch & Polish’ because it believes that South Africa’s innovation engine is the cornerstone to a dynamic culture of entrepreneurship.
Nomalanga Nkosi, general manager of Business Segments at MTN South Africa, said the company was “proud to sponsor a platform that promotes economic upliftment and potential growth”.
“The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predicted that developing countries would account for 60% of global economic output by 2030, marking a major shift in activity away from traditional industrialised powers. Such statistics are certainly indicative of the potential that South Africa has,” said Nkosi.
“It is conventional wisdom that entrepreneurship is key to the promotion of jobs and economic growth. In fact, in some cases such enterprises are outpacing their more established corporate rivals in terms of revenue and profit growth, yet this sector is not taken seriously locally.”
Nkosi said that MTN was also “committed to meaningfully change the landscape of our country through upliftment and opportunity”. This can be achieved if the country nurtures innovative thinkers.
Results have already shown that over the last two decades entrepreneurship — powered by creative minds — has emerged as arguably the most potent economic force the world has ever experienced.
“Entrepreneurs make an indispensable contribution to their local markets and the overall South African economy. Entrepreneurial firms play a crucial role in the innovations that lead to technological change and productivity growth.
Entrepreneurs are essential, as the platform they provide becomes a mechanism by which millions enter the economic mainstream. They are about change and competition because they change the market structure,” said Nkosi.
For entrepreneurs to be successful leaders they need to be “modern leaders” though, said Nkosi. “Leadership should be at the heart of every entrepreneur. True leaders have foresight and the ability to conceptualise this vision for the future.