South African Entrepreneurs Movement SAEM
South Africa stands at a critical moment in its democratic journey.
The South African Entrepreneurs Movement acknowledges the efforts of government over the past three decades to improve the lives of all South Africans.
However, we believe that the time has come for a new era of inclusive leadership — one that actively includes entrepreneurs, business builders, innovators, professionals, and job creators in the highest levels of decision-making.
For 32 years, entrepreneurs have supported political leaders, invested in communities, created jobs, paid taxes, and contributed to economic growth. Yet many of the decisions that shape our economy continue to be made without meaningful participation from the very people who build businesses and create employment opportunities.
We believe this must change.
Entrepreneurs deserve a direct voice
SAEM believes entrepreneurs deserve direct representation in the decisions that affect their businesses, livelihoods, and communities.
For too long, government engagement with business has been dominated by a small number of elite business formations that often do not adequately represent the realities, challenges, and aspirations of entrepreneurs on the ground.
Many entrepreneurs, township businesses, rural enterprises, start-ups, informal businesses, family-owned businesses, emerging industrialists, farmers, and professionals remain unheard despite being the backbone of job creation and economic activity in South Africa.
While we respect the role played by established business organisations, we reject the notion that a handful of institutions can speak on behalf of millions of entrepreneurs across the country. Too often, these structures represent the interests of a privileged few and established businesses while the voices of entrepreneurs on the ground remain excluded from national decision-making.
The South African Entrepreneurs Movement seeks to create a platform where entrepreneurs from every province, town, township, village, and industry sector can participate directly in shaping South Africa’s economic future.
Nothing about entrepreneurs should be decided without entrepreneurs.
Our call for inclusive leadership
The South African Entrepreneurs Movement is calling for practical inclusion of entrepreneurs in leadership, policy and national decision-making.
- Greater representation of entrepreneurs in leadership positions across government.
- The appointment of qualified entrepreneurs and business leaders as Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs, Heads of Department, Mayors, Municipal Managers, SOE executives, and Board members.
- The establishment of a National Entrepreneurs Business Council to serve as a permanent partnership platform between government and business.
- Formal consultation with entrepreneurs on economic policy, industrial development, job creation, skills development, infrastructure development, and service delivery reforms.
Government of National Unity and inclusive governance
SAEM believes that partnership and practical cooperation are needed to solve South Africa’s economic and social challenges.
The formation of the Government of National Unity demonstrated the importance of partnership and collaboration. However, the broader entrepreneurial and business community was not meaningfully consulted or represented in that process.
We therefore propose a new model of inclusive governance that brings government, entrepreneurs, labour, communities, and civil society together in shaping the country’s future.
We are prepared to support leaders, campaigns, and institutions that embrace inclusive leadership and recognise the value of entrepreneurial expertise in solving South Africa’s challenges.
Entrepreneurs understand growth because we create it
Entrepreneurs understand jobs because we employ people.
Entrepreneurs understand service delivery because we solve problems every day.
Entrepreneurs understand skills development because we invest in people.
Entrepreneurs understand poverty because we see its impact in our communities and businesses.
Entrepreneurs understand innovation because we compete, adapt, and build solutions.
Entrepreneurs understand growth because we create it.
Inclusive leadership is not a political slogan — it is an economic necessity.
Our Vision
Our mission is simple: to help build a South Africa where economic growth, job creation, skills development, innovation, and service delivery are driven through genuine partnership between government, entrepreneurs, and society.
We do not seek permission to participate in the economy; we demand a seat at the table where economic decisions are made.
No more decisions about entrepreneurs without entrepreneurs. No more economic policy without business participation. No more exclusion from the table where South Africa’s future is decided.
Together, we can build a prosperous, inclusive, opportunity-driven South Africa where every entrepreneur has the chance to succeed and every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.
“Business is Politics. Politics is Business. Together, We Build South Africa.”