Ndzavi Derrick

The Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa (hereinafter referred to as “IBASA”), was founded in 1998, as a branch of the Institute of Business Advisers in the United Kingdom. The initiative came from professional business advisors in South Africa. Appointed mainly by SMME support institutions, business advisers felt that their profession enjoyed neither recognition nor support. Since then, IBASA has become an independent, non-statutory, professional body, registered as a non-profit company with the objective of setting up, implementing and maintaining professional standards of practice and a code of ethics among business advisors, coaches and mentors in Southern Africa. IBASA recognised the need for holistic business support facilities to be available to the emerging business market in Southern Africa and the need for the control of standards, with regard to the provision of such support. IBASA was then set up with the aim of providing direction, with regard to both these imperatives. IBASA has a grading system, which measures business advisers on three differentiated levels, according to their relevant business management experience, their learning and qualifications, and their current practice in supporting businesses. IBASA focuses attention on experience as a business support practitioner, whilst recognising the need for new entrants into the profession. All members of IBASA are bound by a Code of Conduct and ethics. The concept of the need for Business Advising Service standards and accreditation, requires that service providers be members of a professional body, such as IBASA.

VC4A is an ecosystem builder that leverages its infrastructure, network, and expertise for the programs that contribute to the global startup movement. Since 2008, the organization designs, structures, and implements successful entrepreneurship programs across emerging markets. VC4A runs an online platform featuring the world’s largest database of emerging market startups and connects local entrepreneurs to learning resources, mentors, investors, and partner programs. Visit https://vc4a.com/ for more information. VC4A.com - The platform for venture building. VC4A is the largest online community of entrepreneurs and investors dedicated to building game-changing companies in Africa and Latin America. Entrepreneurs have access to free online tools, mentorship opportunities, and private deal rooms. Investor Pro Account users can set up intelligent alerts, follow progress, conduct due diligence, and connect directly. The community has 200,000+ members in 159 countries and meetups have been hosted in more than 50 cities around the world. Join the movement and lets change the world.

The University of Pretoria is a multi-faculty research-intensive university that has remained among the top South African universities in research output and impact. UP is also the top producer of graduates in the country. With campuses in Pretoria and its surrounds, as well as in the country’s economic hub, Johannesburg, UP is conveniently situated within close proximity to government departments and major research agencies. Its nine faculties and business school offer a diverse range of degrees, diplomas and certificates, over 1 000 of which are postgraduate programmes. The vision is to be Africa’s leading research-intensive university, recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact. Relying on over a century of experience and well-established facilities, UP develops human capital and generates the knowledge and skills required to meet the many challenges of the world at large, within the context of a developing nation. With its identity firmly and proudly rooted in Africa, the University strives to develop the current and future potential of South Africa’s diverse population while remaining a recognised player in the global marketplace of knowledge production. The University’s commitment to equity and diversity is reflected in its changing student and staff profiles and is evident in UP’s multilingual student body and staff. As one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions, the University of Pretoria produces sought-after graduates who are well-rounded citizens shaped by its holistic approach to education. This is enabled by a wide range of campus activities and student societies including sports, arts and culture. It strives to teach its students to ‘make today matter’ by drawing on the experiences of yesterday and using the knowledge of today to improve tomorrow. University staff and students are sensitised that every action in the present shapes the future.