This week, a lively debate popped up in our enterprise development WhatsApp group: Are the programmes South Africa offers truly meeting the real needs of entrepreneurs? 

It’s a question close to my heart. I’ve always believed that to truly understand entrepreneurs, you must be or have been one yourself. The journey from idea to success is never smooth or logical. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often lonely. And it gets more complex as your business grows. 

Entrepreneurs often call their business “my baby,” and it’s true. Like raising a child, building a business comes with sleepless nights, tears, laughter, doctors’ visits (read taxman!), unexpected costs, proud milestones, and moments of doubt. It’s rough. It’s real. And it’s relentlessly demanding. 

Along the way, though, you’ll meet people who cheer from the sidelines. Some will offer advice, much of it useful but not always so. Unless they’ve walked the path themselves, they seldom truly understand what it takes.

Your task as the leader is to judge which advice to take, and which to say ‘thank you, but no thank you”

Entrepreneurship is not for the theorist or the faint of heart – but for those brave enough to play the game on the field. And I salute you for showing up, week after week, with grit and grace. 

That’s why I write these Monday messages. Every week, for over a decade. To remind you of your strength: I see you. I honour your courage. And I walk this road with you.

You’ve got this.