International

Labour
Organization

INTRODUCTION
TO SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE
(ISE)

LEARNERS’
GUIDE
Copyright © International Labour Organization 2011

First published 2011

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Introduction to Social Enterprise. Learners’ guide

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Printed in South Africa

 International
Labour
Organization

INTRODUCTION
TO SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE
(ISE)

LEARNERS’
GUIDE

i
ii
ABOUT
INTRODUCTION
TO SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE
Introduction to Social Enterprise (ISE) is part of the International Labour Organization’s Social Business Development Services
Resource Pack. This is a system of interrelated training packages and other resources for social entrepreneurs with limited or no
previous exposure to management training. The training products in the package include Introduction to Social Enterprise (ISE),
Generate Your Social Business Idea (GYSBI) and Generate Your Social Business Plan (GYSBP).

The ISE programme is for people who have no previous exposure to social enterprise and wish to find out more about it. The main
target audience is potential social entrepreneurs, but the programme is also relevant for existing entrepreneurs, employees of
non-profit organisations, conventional for-profit businesses, business development service providers or other support agencies,
policy makers or other stakeholders.

The ISE Learners’ Guide will provide a basic introduction to social enterprise, helping participants to be able to:

• Describe the background to social enterprise and the increasing interest in it internationally;
• Appreciate that social enterprise is attracting increasing interest in South Africa;
• Define concepts such as social enterprise, social entrepreneur and the social economy;
• Consider how social enterprises could be relevant in their own communities;
• Identify common characteristics of social enterprises and social entrepreneurs and consider whether they are suited to
social enterprise;
• Identify where they can go for further information on social enterprise and help in developing their own social businesses.

The material in this guide has been developed by Real Development for the ILO. It has been developed in and is intended for use
in South Africa, although much of the content will also be relevant elsewhere.

Accompanying this ISE Learners’ Guide is a Trainers’ Guide and a slide presentation that trainers can use to deliver the material,
adapting it as necessary for their audiences. There is also a set of 25 case studies of social enterprises in South Africa on which
trainers and learners can draw if necessary.

iii
iv
CONTENTS
MODULE 1: BACKGROUND TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE 1
Section 1.1 What do we mean by social enterprise? 1
Section 1.2 The Emergence of Social Enterprise as a Concept 1
Section 1.3 The Relevance of Social Enterprise in South Africa 2

MODULE 2: DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES 3

Section 2.1 Concepts related to social enterprise 3
Section 2.2 What is the social economy? 3
Section 2.3 What is a social entrepreneur? 4
Section 2.4 What is a social enterprise, or social business? 4
Section 2.5 Examples of existing social enterprises in South Africa 5

MODULE 3: HOW ARE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES ESTABLISHED? 9

Section 3.1 How do social enterprises start? 9
Section 3.2 How do personal experiences lead to social enterprises? 9

MODULE 4: WHAT DIFFERENCE DO SOCIAL ENTERPRISES MAKE? 11

Section 4.1 What social problems can social enterprises address? 11
Section 4.2 How social enterprises respond to social problems 13

MODULE 5: ARE YOU SUITED TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE? 15

Section 5.1 Characteristics of social enterprises 15
Section 5.2 Are you the right kind of person to be a social entrepreneur? 15
Section 5.3 Where to go for more information 17

MODULE 6: FACT SHEETS 19

Section 6.1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 19
Section 6.2 Glossary 21
Section 6.3 Sources of information and support focusing on social enterprises 22
Section 6.4 Other sources of information 22

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MODULE 1
BACKGROUND TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Section 1.1 What do we mean by social enterprise?

We will learn later that there is no single agreed definition of social enterprise, but put simply, a social enterprise is an organization
that is run like a business but that has a social purpose.

Conventional Social Conventional

Non-Profit enterprises businesses
Organisations

Social enterprises occupy the middle ground between conventional Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and conventional
businesses, and may be legally registered as either. They may take for-profit or non-profit legal forms; what matters most is how
any profit generated is used, and who benefits from it.

There is no special legal form for social enterprises in South Africa. You can find social enterprises that are registered as Section
21 companies, cooperatives, voluntary associations, trusts, close corporations and even Pty Limited companies. It is not possible
to identify a social enterprise just by its legal form and you need to understand what an organisation does, why, and how, to
decide whether it is a social enterprise. In particular, you need to know who benefits from its operations and what impact it has
on society.

Social enterprises differ from conventional enterprises in that social impact is considered as more important than maximising
profits.

Social enterprises are unlike conventional NPOs as they earn a substantial proportion of their income rather than being
dependent on grants. However, many social enterprises rely on a mix of grant funding and earned income, particularly in the
first few years of existence or in the transition from grant-dependency to becoming financially sustainable.

We will look in more detail at the definition of social enterprise and related terms later in this Guide.

Section 1.2 The emergence of social enterprise as a concept

There is increasing interest in social enterprise around the world. Examples of such social enterprises have existed for a long
time, but the phrase only really started being used in the 1970s. Since then, the concept has gained popularity. Three of the fac-
tors that have encouraged this are:

• Pressure on non-profit organizations to find new income streams to maintain and expand their programmes in response to
the decline in traditional sources of revenue such as charitable contributions and government grants.
• The recognition that business approaches can be applied to tackle social problems in a sustainable way. This has led to the
emergence of new forms of social purpose business.
• The outsourcing of the delivery of some public services by governments.

In some countries, governments have made efforts to encourage the growth of the social enterprise sector, recognising the
value that they bring to society. Some countries have set up special units within their governments to promote social enterprise.
There are even new legal forms that have been established specifically for social enterprise.

While social enterprises are part of the social economy sector (including cooperatives, mutual benefit societies, associations
and foundations), they do not necessarily follow the principles of democratic governance or collective ownership as closely as

1
some of these other social economy organizations. However, there is increasing recognition of social
enterprises as one among many forms of social economy enterprises.

The recent global economic crisis has led to increased interest in alternative business models seeking
to combine social and financial goals, which has focused attention on social enterprises.

Section 1.3 The relevance of social enterprise in South Africa

As elsewhere in the world, interest in social enterprise and the social economy is increasing in South
Africa. The New Growth Path announced by the Economic Development Department in October
2010 identifies the social economy as part of the economy that has the potential to create many
decent jobs. The Honourable Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel has stated that “the
social economy is a frequently under-recognised, under-appreciated and under-marketed part of
the modern economy”.1

In South Africa, social enterprises could represent new growth opportunities offering a politically
attractive win-win solution including new job creation and improved service delivery. They have
the potential to tackle many of the social problems faced in South Africa today, especially poverty
alleviation and job creation, but also other social and environmental challenges. Social enterprise
has the potential to build human dignity and self-worth, thereby addressing many of the ills created
by South African history.

Various organisations in South Africa have emerged in recent years that seek to support social
enterprises and social entrepreneurs. Some of these are listed in Module 6 at the end of this Guide.
Mainstream small business development agencies are starting to develop tailored support services
for social enterprises.

2
MODULE 2
DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES

Section 2.1 Concepts related to social enterprise

Despite interest in the social economy and social enterprises (especially from academics), there is no common conceptual
agreement and understanding of social enterprise and related concepts. Defining them is further complicated by the difference
between theory and practice. As a result, various concepts are often used interchangeably, e.g. social entrepreneurship, social
entrepreneurs, social enterprises, social businesses and social economy.

However, it is important that we create a common understanding of concepts. Typically social entrepreneurship refers to a
general process or overall culture, whereas social enterprises and social business refer to the organizations that arise from this
culture and that put it into practice. The term social entrepreneur refers to the founder/leader of the initiative or sometimes to
those people who are the driving force behind social innovation. The social economy is the part of the economy that includes
social enterprises and other forms of economic organisations that have a social purpose and that focus particularly on collective
ownership, economic justice and democratic participation.

We will consider these definitions in more detail in the remainder of this Module.

Section 2.2 What is the social economy?

The term ‘social economy’ was first coined in the 19th century to describe an economy which contributes to improved quality of life
for all people in the community rather than only a privileged few. It is built on economic justice and democratic participation.

The social economy is often defined in terms of the legal status of the enterprises and organisations that exist within it. For
example, the Government’s New Growth Path says: “The social economy includes myriad not-for-profit institutions that provide
goods and services, including coops, non-governmental organisations and stokvels”.2 However, it is also often characterised by
some common principles, especially:

• Placing more value on people and work than on

money;
• Independent management;
• Democratic decision making processes;
• Collective ownership.

In recent years, the social economy concept has

been broadened to include diverse forms of social
enterprises and social entrepreneurship. In 2009,
delegates from across Africa defined the social
economy as “a concept designating enterprises and
organizations, in particular cooperatives, mutual
benefit societies, associations, foundations and
social enterprises, which have the specific feature
of producing goods, services and knowledge while
pursuing both economic and social aims and fostering
solidarity”.3

3
Section 2.3 What is a social entrepreneur?
A variety of definitions of social entrepreneur exist. Here we provide some examples of existing
definitions.

In 2009 the Schwab Foundation defined a social entrepreneur as someone who “builds strong and
sustainable organisations, which are either set up as not-for-profits or companies”.4

According to Ashoka, social entrepreneurs “are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s
most pressing social problems. They are ambitious and persistent, tackling major social issues and
offering new ideas for wide-scale change”.5

In 2001, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) noted that social
entrepreneurs shared the vision, creativity and determination of business entrepreneurs to create
new products and services and even entirely new industries, and that social entrepreneurs use these
qualities to create sustainable market-based solutions to social problems.6

While business and social entrepreneurs share the same drive to create viable and sustainable
businesses, the social entrepreneur uses his/her business to find solutions to problems in communities.
Thus, social entrepreneurs focus on creating social value in addition to economic value.

Social entrepreneurs are change agents and the driving force behind sustainable social innovation,
transforming fields such as education, health, environment and enterprise development. It is
important to understand that despite this focus, social entrepreneurs differ from social activists and
advocates. They use entrepreneurial skills and business methods to build concrete and sustainable for-
profit or not-for-profit organisations which become the vehicles to achieve their social objectives.

Section 2.4 What is a social enterprise, or social business?

Some people use ‘social business’ to refer particularly to for-profit social enterprises, to distinguish
them from ‘enterprising non-profits’. However, in this guide, we use ‘social enterprise’ and ‘social
business’ interchangeably.

While it is difficult to find a single definition for social enterprise, many of the definitions and
descriptions commonly used speak the same language:

• The Social Enterprise Coalition in the United Kingdom views social enterprises as “businesses
trading for social and environmental purposes.” 7
• Kim Alter, founder and managing director of Virtue Ventures (an international consulting firm
specialising in social entrepreneurship) defined social enterprises as “any business venture
created for a social purpose – mitigating/reducing a social problem or a market failure – and to
generate social value while operating with the financial discipline, innovation and determination
of a private sector business.”8
• In 1999 the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defined social
enterprises as “…any private activity conducted in the public interest, organised with an
entrepreneurial strategy but whose main purpose is not the maximisation of profit but the
attainment of certain economic and social goals.” 9
• The Government of the United Kingdom believes a social enterprise to be “…a business with
primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the
business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for
shareholders and owners.” 10
• In marketing a Social Business Plan Competition on the Cape Flats in 2009, The Business Place
defined social businesses as follows: “A social business uses business methods to address social
problems. A social business should have a solution to a problem in your community. Also, this
solution must have a way of making money. Some of the areas in which there are opportunities
for social business are recycling, waste management, housing, community services, food
security, crime prevention, education/skills development, health care, childcare, employment
opportunities for disadvantaged groups, arts and culture, care for elderly, leisure and recreation,
and environmental protection.”11

4
These definitions pinpoint two distinct characteristics of social enterprises:

• Delivery of social value as the principal aim as opposed to maximising profit for the owners/shareholders.
• The production of goods or the provision of services on an ongoing basis with a view to generating an income that covers
costs and potentially allows for a surplus.

Social enterprises are also sometimes defined in terms of the origin of income, which may be a mixture of:

• Grants and donations (including subsidies, donor funding, charitable donations and grants); and
• Income generated through trading.

Section 2.5 Examples of existing social enterprises in South Africa

This section includes brief summaries of 25 existing social enterprises in South Africa. More details on each can be found in a set
of case studies available alongside this Guide.

Bobs for Good Foundation is a registered public benefit Trust based in Cape Town. The organisation uses a “one-for-one” model
to ensure its financial sustainability and to implement its purpose. Shoes for men are retailed via an online shopping platform
and the profit from each sale is used to manufacture and distribute a pair of school shoes for a disadvantaged child.

The Bondtitis Benefit Scheme is a cooperative based in Vosloorus that consolidates the membership of 35 burial societies to
provide an integrated and more sustainable service. The group collects membership fees from 900 principal members across
Gauteng and Mpumalanga, and is underwritten by an insurance company. Through this scheme, individual members have a
greater sense of certainty regarding the payout of their claims.

The Creative Design Company is a registered (Pty) Ltd. company based in Cape Town which aims to maximise employment by
growing the local clothing design and manufacturing industry. The social enterprise sells its designs to major retailers and uses
local suppliers to make the clothes. The organisation also advocates for policy change to allow the sector to grow.

Dreamhouse Workshop for the Blind in Pretoria aims to increase the job opportunities available for people with disabilities as
well as for the unskilled. The organisation trains potential employees in various skills and then employs them in one of their
three companies which manufacture window blinds, cane furniture and packaged fertiliser sticks. A hybrid structure comprising
non-profit and for-profit entities is used to achieve this.

Emmanuel Haven is a Section 21 not-for-profit company and registered Trust which is working towards the vision of an HIV-free
Motherwell (the largest township in Port Elizabeth). The organisation provides home-based care services, offers treatments at
day-care clinics and runs projects for children infected with or affected by HIV. It also runs several awareness-building projects

5
on HIV/AIDS prevention. Emmanuel Haven uses a hydroponics project to grow vegetables which
it sells to earn an income. The organisation recently launched a radio station which delivers social
messaging to the residents of Motherwell and earns an income through selling advertising space.

Food & Trees for Africa is a Section 21 not-for-profit company based in Johannesburg addressing the
issues of climate change and food security. To ensure its financial sustainability, the social enterprise
sells energy certificates and the service of carbon offsetting to corporates, government and other
non-profit organisations. It also implements government contracts on urban greening.

The International Centre for Eyecare Education Africa is a Section 21 not-for-profit company
headquartered in Durban. The organisation was created to respond to the needs of millions of
people on the continent who do not have access to basic eye care services. To achieve this, ICEE
Africa has established Vision Centres which retail spectacles and other eye care products at low cost,
and provide vision screening services.

The Johannesburg Housing Company is a social housing company structured as a Section 21 not-
for-profit company, with subsidiaries that are non-profit and for-profit entities. It provides affordable
rental apartment accommodation in the inner city of Johannesburg to people with low incomes.
The organisation also offers complementary social services to its tenants, both for the purpose of
raising the value and competitive advantage of its properties as well as to uplift its clients socially.

Khulisa is a Section 21 not-for-profit company based in Johannesburg with offices throughout the
country and an international office in the United Kingdom. The primary aim is to reduce the levels
of crime in the country by providing holistic community development and individual behavioural
change programmes. The organisation maintains its financial self-sufficiency by selling its services
to the public and private sectors.

Learn to Earn is an organisation in Cape Town that seeks to create economic access and opportunity
through skills development and enterprise development. Close to half of the organisation’s income
is earned through facilitation fees for enterprise development, preferential procurement and
personnel recruitment; as well as through The Feel Good Project, an innovative partnership between
Learn to Earn and the Foschini Group. The organisation uses a hybrid structure of non-profit entities
to achieve this purpose.

Life College in Johannesburg offers programmes focused on creating a “champion” mentality in

the youth. These are implemented in Soweto and Eldorado Park and make use of prominent public
figures as examples on which the learning is based. The organisation has a hybrid structure – a (Pty)
Ltd. investment company invests in suitable businesses and sells the organisation’s programmes;
this company is wholly owned by a Trust; and a Section 21 not-for-profit company implements the
developmental activities.

Magwa Volunteers is a small close corporation founded in the deep rural Gwexintaba village near
Lusikisiki on the Wild Coast. It was created with the aim of achieving sustainable development of the
village and implements various initiatives, such as permaculture projects. To generate its income,
the company sells tour and volunteer packages that provide an indigenous African experience to
international tourists. The tourists come to the Gwexintaba village to volunteer in various community
projects and learn more about rural African life.

SHAWCO is one of the largest student volunteer bodies on the African continent with over 2000
volunteers running over 22 health and education projects in five SHAWCO centres. SHAWCO has
developed a transport business, coordinates an international social entrepreneurship programme
and manages a clothing project to generate income. The organisation forms the student volunteer
arm of the University of Cape Town and is structured as a Section 21 not-for-profit company while its
transport project is structured as a for-profit business.

Shonaquip is a (Pty) Ltd. Company and a Section 21 company based in Cape Town. The organisation
manufactures and sells wheelchairs, back supports, positioning and assistive devices, therapy
equipment, communication devices and incontinence products. In addition, trained occupational
therapists assess and prescribe positioning and seating equipment for persons with disabilities.

6
The Small Enterprise Foundation in Limpopo aims to eliminate poverty by providing a range of financial services to enable the
poor to realise their potential. The Section 21 not-for-profit company provides micro-finance loans to disadvantaged people
in a community in order for them to start businesses. The organisation then provides mentorship and advice to support the
development of the businesses.

The Sodla Sonke Cooperative was formed in the Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth to address various social problems in the
community. The main income-generating initiative is an office/property cleaning service. By winning competitive tenders,
the cooperative has been able to provide job opportunities for unemployed people from the community. In addition, the
cooperative runs a small recycling project to increase its income.

Sport For All is the first registered social franchising company in South Africa. The organisation sells sport franchises to
create opportunities for people to offer coaching clinics and to provide recreational activities for children in disadvantaged
communities. Sport is used as a vehicle to teach life skills to children while the sale of franchises creates entrepreneurs within
the community. Sport For All is based in Johannesburg and has a hybrid structure, with a (Pty) Ltd. company that implements
the franchising model and a Section 21 not-for-profit company which accesses grant funding to provide services to orphans and
vulnerable children.

St. Philomena’s is a Section 21 not-for-profit company in Durban. The mandate of the organisation is to respond to poverty,
unemployment, lack of skills/education and family dysfunction in surrounding communities. St. Philomena’s financial
sustainability is provided through Saints Hospitality, its sister organisation, which is structured as a (Pty) Ltd. company. Saints
Hospitality has a conference, accommodation and catering facilities from which it earns its income.

Stitchwise is a (Pty) Ltd. company based in Carletonville in Gauteng. The company develops safety products for mines, including
personal protective equipment for miners and backfill support bags which form the pillars that prevent the mine ceiling from
collapsing. The company also employs people with disabilities and encourages and mentors unemployed people in mining
communities to start small enterprises.

Streetwires is a close corporation, located in Cape Town, which trains unemployed artists or disadvantaged people interested in
art to make a sustainable income from wire and bead craft. The organisation also retails the products made thereby creating a
stable income for the artists. Streetwires ensures that artists are not exploited and receive fair value for their work with business
and individual clients.

The Broccoli Project in Cape Town develops and sells technology that is used to monitor and measure donations provided to
large numbers of beneficiaries. This is coupled with an incentive scheme that uses food vouchers to motivate the poor and
unemployed to undertake positive behaviours. The technology can be applied to various social issues such as encouraging
people to undertake medical testing or motivating students to attend school. The organisation uses a hybrid structure made up
of a Trust which implements the charitable activities and a company structure that developed the technology.

The Clothing Bank enables marginalised women to become micro-entrepreneurs in their communities. The services provided
by The Clothing Bank are the collection and repair of donated clothes, and business training for the women. The organisation
then sells the clothes to the women at a nominal amount which the women sell in their communities at market-related prices.
The Clothing Bank is a Section 21 not-for-profit company based in Cape Town.

The Lapdesk Company, a (Pty) Ltd. company in Johannesburg, produces and distributes a product called the Lapdesk, a durable,
recyclable product designed to provide support for a child while s/he studies. It serves the same purpose as a desk, providing a
sturdy support for the child’s books. The product was developed in response to severe desk shortages in South Africa and other
countries.

Wizzit Bank was created as a (Pty) Ltd. company in order to bank the unbanked. The organisation started by offering transactional
banking capability and then went on to offer other financial services such as loans and micro insurance. The organisation is
based in Johannesburg and has international operations in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. It makes use of field agents called
Wizz Kids who promote and sell the bank’s products in communities.

Zip Zap is a performing arts school based in Cape Town and is registered as a public benefit Trust. Zip Zap teaches circus skills
to children of different socio-economic backgrounds to enable interaction and understanding of each others’ lives, cultures and
life experiences. The children are taught to apply the lessons behind the circus skills to their lives and are given the opportunity
to use their skills in performances across South Africa, as well as around the world.

7
ACTIVITY ONE:
Review the list of social enterprises above and try to think of any other organisations that you
think are social enterprises. They might be operating in your community or more broadly across
the country. Write your ideas down in the spaces below.

Notes:

Other social enterprises that I am aware of:

8
MODULE 3
HOW ARE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES ESTABLISHED?

Section 3.1 How do social enterprises start?

The process of establishing a social enterprise is not always the same. For example:

• An existing commercial business may choose to transform into a

social enterprise based on needs that become evident in the com-
munity. The transformation into a social enterprise is not the same as
becoming involved in a community through donations. Such dona-
tions usually form part of the corporate social investment (CSI) pro-
gramme of a business and do not affect the operations of the busi-
ness or its profit-maximising nature. In contrast, the primary focus of
social enterprises is addressing community needs rather than maxi-
mising profits.
• An existing community-based or non-profit organisation may
become a social enterprise by increasing the proportion of its
income that it earns. For example, protective/sheltered workshops
for people with disabilities can be transformed into fully sustainable
social businesses. A social enterprise is characterised by its ability to
earn income from trading and operational activities.
• A social entrepreneur may identify a specific community need or
problem which leads to the establishment of a new business as a
social enterprise.

Regardless of these factors, the first step for the establishment of any social
enterprise is being aware of a specific problem requiring attention. It is
often because social entrepreneurs are in touch with their communities
that they are able to identify social/environmental issues as a first step.

Section 3.2 How do personal experiences lead to social enterprises?

Many people who become involved in community activities or try to improve the world they live in feel compelled to do so
because of their own experiences. Many non-profit organisations have their origin in the personal trauma and hardship of the
founding members. This is also true of social entrepreneurs who focus their careers on changing circumstances that they are
familiar with.

For example, a person who lost a close friend due to a drug overdose might be keen to start a social business that prevents or
treats drug abuse. A woman who escaped an abusive relationship might well start a shelter for abused women or a training
centre to skill women and increase their employability.

CASE STUDY: SHONAQUIP12

Shelley McDonald was born in 1981 and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Finding appropriate assistive devices proved to
be more difficult than the McDonald family initially realised.

The family chose to take a positive view despite the difficulties and challenges they were facing. According to Shelley’s
mother, Shona, they “decided to turn the negative diagnosis and accompanying negative advice and depressing
prognosis into positive decisions, useful resources, personal development and parental empowerment.”

9
The McDonalds refused to accept the inadequate assistive devices available in South Africa in
the 1980s and Shona decided to apply her personal experience of Shelley’s needs to designing
a suitable device. Before her third birthday Shelley was able to test her first motorised
wheelchair, designed and built by her mother.

Shona soon found that Shelley’s need for specialised equipment was not limited to their
family. Many people with disabilities needed similar equipment. In 1992 Shonaquip was born
as a small close corporation. It sold custom-made buggies and support devices to parents of
children with disabilities and operated out of the McDonald’s garage and employed only two
staff members.

However, the business grew into a reputable social enterprise employing over 40 technicians,
seamstresses and therapists (many of whom are wheelchair users). Today the head office
in Cape Town supports branches in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. The close
corporation has been replaced by a (Pty) Ltd company and a charitable foundation.

The personal experience of one woman and her family has positively affected the lives of
hundreds of people with disabilities in South Africa through the provision of assistive devices
and support. Shona has won many awards for her pioneering work.

ACTIVITY TWO:
The example of Shona McDonald is certainly inspiring, showing that hardship can not only be
overcome, but even create new opportunities for growth and development.

Think about your own experiences and try to identify one or more that could lead to a social
business idea. Use the space below to record your thoughts.

Notes:
My personal experiences that could lead to a social business idea:

10
MODULE 4
WHAT DIFFERENCE DO SOCIAL ENTERPRISES MAKE?

Section 4.1 What social problems can social enterprises address?

Social enterprises exist to fulfil a social purpose, rather than solely to make a profit. Running a social enterprise gives you the
opportunity to make a real difference in your community.

The range of social problems that social enterprises can work on is huge. However, typically social problems fall into broad
categories. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has defined various activities as Public Benefit Activities (PBAs):

• Welfare and humanitarian activities;

• Health care;
• Land and housing;
• Education and development;
• Religion, belief and philosophy;
• Cultural activities;
• Conservation, environment and animal welfare;
• Research and consumer rights;
• Sport;
• Providing of funds, assets or other resources; and
• General activities.

However, this list is not complete.

You could think of social causes and
activities that social enterprises could
undertake that are not on this list, so
only use it as a starting point.

The ability to change your own world

can be very rewarding – a social
entrepreneur gets the satisfaction
of tackling the social problem that is
significant to him or her. In addition,
many social enterprises provide the
opportunity to employ local people,
perhaps creating jobs for people
who would ordinarily find it difficult
(if not impossible) to find work. The
opportunities for developing new
skills can be even more significant
than simply finding employment.

Different types of people can benefit from a social enterprise, including people who have been unemployed for a long time,
people with disabilities, ex-offenders, ethnic minorities, women and young people. The social enterprise might have an impact
that benefits society at large rather than a particular group or community.

11
ACTIVITY THREE:
Review the SARS list of public benefit activities above and make a list of the social problems and
issues evident in your community.

From your list, identify the three most critical social challenges.

Notes:
Social problems and issues in my community:

The three most critical social challenges in my community are:

1.

2.

3.

12
Section 4.2 How social enterprises respond to social problems

Just as social problems differ, the proposed solutions also vary due (partly) to
the different interests and values of the parties involved. Social entrepreneurs
not only need to define the social problem they want to address, but also how
they will do so.

Social enterprises need to generate revenue to sustain themselves. This enables

them to achieve their social and/or environmental aims. Earning income is
not seen as an end in itself, but simply as a means to an end. However, any
successful social enterprise needs to carefully consider where its income will
come from, and ensure that it can cover its costs.

ACTIVITY FOUR:
For each of the three most critical social challenges you identified in the previous activity, try
to identify what kind of social enterprise might address these social challenges. For example,
if a lack of childcare facilities in your community means that young mothers are not able to
go to work, a possible social enterprise that could address this might be an affordable crèche.
Remember to consider where the income would come from for the social enterprise.

Notes:
Social problem 1:
Potential social enterprise:

Social problem 2:
Potential social enterprise:

Social problem 3:
Potential social enterprise:

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MODULE 5
ARE YOU SUITED TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?
Section 5.1 Characteristics of social enterprises
In Modules 1 and 2 you were introduced to some of the key concepts and definitions in the world of social enterprises. We will
now consider whether starting a social enterprise is the right choice for you.

We should start out by reminding ourselves of the two defining characteristics of social enterprise:

1. Delivery of social value as the principal aim as opposed to maximising profit for the owners/shareholders.
2. The production of goods or the provision of services on an ongoing basis with a view to generating an income that covers
costs and potentially allows for a surplus.

These characteristics are often accompanied by the following further descriptors, which apply to most social enterprises:

3. The social enterprise clearly states its social purpose.

4. The business is independent. This distinguishes social businesses from the public (government) sector and projects within
larger organisations.
5. The business earns most of its income from trading. This distinguishes a social business from a conventional non-profit
organization that relies on grants.
6. A significant proportion of any profit made by the business is used in line with its social purpose. Social enterprises
are driven by social objectives rather than maximising profit for private gain. This distinguishes social enterprises from
conventional businesses, even those with some corporate social investment (CSI) activities.
7. There is a commitment that if the social business is dissolved, all remaining assets are used in line with its social
purpose.
8. Social enterprises measure and can demonstrate their social impact.

With these characteristics in mind, you should consider whether running a social business feels right for you. This is a personal
decision and you should not feel ashamed if the answer is no. Many people feel more comfortable working in the public sector,
for a conventional charity, or for a conventional profit-maximising business. Assuming the answer is yes, let’s see if you have
what it takes to be a social entrepreneur.

Section 5.2 Are you the right kind of person to be a social entrepreneur?
Social entrepreneurs are typically characterised by a
number of traits:

• A need for achievement;

• A need for autonomy;
• A creative tendency;
• The ability to take calculated risks; and
• A strong social purpose.

The motivation for starting a social enterprise differs

from person to person. For some people this motivation
can be found in their personal desire to help other
people; for others it is a social need and for yet others
it is driven by something that has happened in their
lives. It is important that you understand your own
motivation for wanting to start a social enterprise.

15
ACTIVITY FIVE:
It requires motivation and commitment to be a successful social entrepreneur making a real
difference in your community. Do you think you have what it takes?

Consider whether you have the characteristics typical of social entrepreneurs listed above. Then
review your interest in social enterprise by completing the questionnaire below.

1. Do you think you have the following characteristics?

• A need for achievement YES / NO

• A need for autonomy YES / NO
• A creative tendency YES / NO
• The ability to take calculated risks YES / NO
• A strong social purpose YES / NO

2. Why do you want to start a social enterprise? List your reasons in order of importance.

3. What barriers are you likely to face in establishing a social enterprise?

4. How will it affect you and your family if you start a social enterprise?

16
Review your answers to these questions and consider whether you have what it takes to start a social enterprise.

Many social entrepreneurs do not have enough skills, all the characteristics or are not in the right situation when they start
to plan a new social enterprise. However, skills can be learned, characteristics developed and situations improved. You can
strengthen your skills and characteristics as a social entrepreneur by:

• Seeking help from others. Talk to your friends, family, trainers and other social entrepreneurs.
• Observing successful social entrepreneurs. Think about what they do and see how it helps to achieve success.
• Attending training to strengthen areas where you are weak.
• Reading books to improve your knowledge and skills.

Section 5.3 Where to go for more information

Congratulations! You have completed the training in Introduction to Social Enterprise. If you wish to find out more about social
enterprise or are interested in starting up your own social enterprise, contact any of the organizations listed in Module 6. You
might like to register for training in Generate Your Social Business Idea (GYSBI) if you feel that you need help in identifying and
structuring your social enterprise idea.

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18
MODULE 6
FACT SHEETS
Section 6.1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are social enterprises?

Social enterprises are businesses that have a social purpose. They use business principles and methods to achieve social change.
Social enterprises are not grant-dependent charities, but are revenue-generating businesses. For some examples of successful
social enterprises in South Africa, take a look at some of the 25 case studies that are available alongside this Guide.

2. Why start a social enterprise?

Most social entrepreneurs start a social enterprise because they feel strongly about a particular social issue and they want to do
something about it in a practical and sustainable way. Social enterprises tackle social issues in various ways, including:

• To provide skills training and/or employment opportunities to the needy and disadvantaged (i.e. those who have higher
than usual barriers to employment, such as people with disabilities or ex-offenders) as a means to (re-)integrate them into
society and encourage them to be self-reliant.
• To provide subsidised services to needy and/or disadvantaged beneficiaries, ensuring that the people who could not usually
afford certain services have access to such services to improve their quality of life.
• To serve society’s needs or address certain social issues in other ways. These issues can include social cohesion and
community building.

3. Are all social enterprises small businesses?

Social enterprise refers to any type of business with a social mission. It can be large or small.

4. Can the owners and members of the social enterprise take profits out if the business is doing well?

To be considered a social enterprise, most of its profits should be used to tackle the social purpose. This could mean reinvesting
in the business to help it to grow, or spending the proceeds on activities that fulfil the social purpose. Many social businesses use
all of the profits in this way, but some allow for a portion of the profits to be shared among the owners and shareholders. Using
profits for the social purpose is intended to:

• Demonstrate that the enterprise exists for a social purpose, rather than solely to provide private benefit to its owners or
members;
• Encourage sustainability of the enterprise and the opportunities for its employees;
• Ensure that the bulk of the income received (whether donated or self generated) ends up beneficiating the target
communities.

5. What happens to the profits?

Most of the surplus or profit should go towards building the reserves of the social enterprise, building organisational capabilities,
or expanding operations and providing increased social value. In some cases, a limited share of the profits is distributed to
investors.

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6. Can I invest in a Social Enterprise?

There are attempts to encourage more investment in social enterprises. There is even a discussion
about establishing a Social Stock Exchange in South Africa. Of course, you are free to invest in a social
enterprise, as long as the social enterprise is willing to accept the investment. But you need to con-
sider what return you expect from that investment. Most investors require a return on their invest-
ment in the longer term as well as seeing social impact. Whether a social enterprise can distribute
part of its profits to investors depends on its legal form and the business model chosen.

7. I have set up a social enterprise, but my revenue is not able to cover costs.
Can I get funding from other sources to make up the difference?

Social enterprises should ensure that they are financially sustainable in the long-term. To ensure
sufficient funding to cover start-up and operating costs, social enterprises should explore different
funding options appropriate to their stage of business development. These can include earned-
income, government start-up grants, donor funding and private investments, depending on the
legal form of your social business.

8. Can I finance my social enterprise through grant funding only?

Financial support from donors or grants should be specific and short-term, designed to catalyse and
enable the start-up of the business, but it should not be the main source of continuous funding for
social enterprises. It is suggested that more than 50% of your income should come from income
generation e.g. services rendered or products sold. To be sustainable in the long term, the social
enterprise must have a sustainable business model to provide their customers with value for money
products and services beyond the stage when donor funding is reduced or phased out. If you prefer
to set up a non-profit organization that is totally dependent on donor or grant funding, that’s fine,
but it wouldn’t be considered a social enterprise.

9. What is the best legal structure for a social enterprise?

It depends on the circumstances, the people involved and what they want to achieve. You should be
clear about your business and social objectives before you start to think about legal structures. Many
times social enterprises lose out on valuable incentives or give themselves unnecessary difficulties
just because they register under the wrong legal structure. Social enterprises use a wide variety of
legal forms including: private companies; Section 21 companies; voluntary associations; trusts; close
corporations; and cooperatives. See the Guide to Legal Forms for Social Enterprise in South Africa for
more information on legal structures.

10. How long does it usually take for a social enterprise to reach financial sus-
tainability?
Social enterprises often take longer than conventional businesses to reach breakeven (where
income is sufficient to cover costs). This can take a number of years. Setting up a social enterprise is
often harder than setting up a normal business, particularly if its business model includes providing
services at subsidised rates to its target group. Some emerging social enterprises seek grants in their
early stages to enable them to reach this point.

11. Can I earn a good income as a social entrepreneur?

The simple answer is yes. There is no reason that people who set up or manage social enterprises can’t
earn a reasonable income, as long as this does not conflict with the social purpose of the enterprise.
Staff employed by successful social enterprises can earn salaries that are comparable with the rest
of the private or non-profit sector. Paying decent salaries to managers and staff is necessary to
ensure that they remain committed and able to work for the social enterprise, and hence to ensure
its sustainability. However, the social entrepreneur may need to look at how he or she earns income

20
differently. While some conventional entrepreneurs do not factor in a salary for themselves in their business plan, seeing profit
as their income, social entrepreneurs should build their personal income into the business plan as salaries or directors’ fees,
before profit is calculated. This is because a social enterprise generally reinvests or distributes most of its profits in line with its
social purpose, rather than paying it to its owners or staff.

Section 6.2 Glossary

Business idea A short and precise description of the basic operations of an intended business.

Businesses who use raw materials (e.g. leather, wood, cloth or metal) to make new and different
Manufacturers
products out of those materials (e.g. furniture and shoe manufacturers, tailors and dressmakers).

An object that people (customers) pay for, including self-manufactured items and items bought for
Product
re-selling (e.g. tools, baked goods, clothes and retail goods).

Businesses who buy ready made goods from wholesalers or manufacturers to resell at a profit (e.g.
Retailers
grocery stores, hardware stores, clothing boutiques, spaza shops and stationery shops).

Something done for people which they pay for (e.g. shining shoes, delivering goods for other
Service
businesses, hairdressing, keeping money safe in a bank and repairing items).

Businesses who sell a particular service (e.g. transporters, hairdressers, bankers, laundries, cleaning
Service providers
services and building contractors).

An economy which contributes to improved quality of life for all people built on economic justice
and democratic participation. It is characterised by placing more value on people and work than
Social economy
on money, independent management and democratic decision making processes. The concept has
broadened in recent years to include diverse forms of social enterprises and social entrepreneurship.

A business or other organization characterised by:

• the delivery of social value as the principal aim as opposed to maximising profit for the owners/
Social enterprise shareholders; and
• the ongoing production of goods or the provision of services to generate an income that covers
costs and potentially allows for a surplus.

Social entrepreneurs share the vision, creativity and determination of business entrepreneurs to create
new products and services, and even new industries, but use these qualities to create sustainable
Social entrepreneur
market-based solutions to social problems. They focus on creating social value in addition to economic
value to ensure sustainability.

A generic term describing a range of conditions and behaviours evident in a society which is deemed
Social problems unacceptable by some members of the society. Different people view social problems in different
ways.

The people exposed to a social or environmental problem or experiencing specific needs. For a social
Target group
enterprise the target group includes customers and beneficiaries.

21
Section 6.3 Sources of information and support focusing on social
enterprises

African Social Entrepreneurs Network (ASEN) www.asenetwork.org

UnLtd South Africa www.unltdsouthafrica.org

Ashoka www.southernafrica.ashoka.org

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship www.schwabfound.org

GIBS Network for Social Entrepreneurs www.gibs.co.za

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/
University of Johannesburg Centre for Social
management/departments/CSE/Pages/
Entrepreneurship and Social Economy
home.aspx

Heart Global www.heartglobal.org

Section 6.4 Other sources of information

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) www.seda.org.za

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) www.youthportal.org.za

The Business Place www.thebusinessplace.co.za

Real Development www.smallbusiness.co.za

The South African Institute for Entrepreneurship www.entrepreneurship.co.za

Real Enterprise Development Initiative (RED Door) www.capegateway.gov.za

Learn to Earn www.learntoearn.co.za

22
Endnotes

1
Address by Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Economic Development, South Africa to the Regional Conference on the Social Economy, Johannesburg,
19 October 2009.
2
Economic Development Department (2010) The New Growth Path Framework, document presented by Minister Ebrahim Patel, November
2010.
3
Included in the Plan of Action of a Regional Conference on the Social Economy: Africa’s response to the Global Crisis, Johannesburg, 19-21
October 2009.
4
Sourced from www.schwabfound.org/sf/SocialEntrepreneurs/index, 28 May 2010.
5
Sourced from www.ashoka.org/social_entrepreneur, 28 May 2010.
6
Reducing the decent work deficit – a global challenge. Report of the Director General to the 89th session of the International Labour
Conference held in Geneva in June 2001.
7
Sourced from www.socialenterprise.org.uk, 31 May 2010.
8
Sourced from www.4lenses.org, 29 May 2010.
9
Sourced from www.ecademy.com, 28 May 2010.
10
Department of Trade and Industry (2004). Social Enterprises – a strategy for success
11
Extracted from a flyer for the Social Business Plan Competition on the Cape Flats (2009).
12
This case study was compiled using information drawn from the company’s website www.shonaquip.co.za.

23
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26
New forms of social purpose business
are emerging in South Africa.
Community-based organizations are
recognizing the need to generate sustain-
able income streams to fund their social
purpose, to reduce their dependence on
grants and donations. Social entrepre-
neurs are setting up enterprises that are
run like businesses but that exist for a
social purpose rather than private
benefit.

This training guide is part of the Interna-

tional Labour Organization’s Social
Business Development Services Resource
Pack. This is a system of interrelated
training packages and other resources
for social entrepreneurs with limited or no
previous exposure to management
training. The training products in the
package include Introduction to Social
Enterprise (ISE), Generate Your Social
Business Idea (GYSBI) and Generate
Your Social Business Plan (GYSBP). Each
has a Trainers’ Guide and a Learners’
Guide.

The Resource Pack also includes a set of

25 case studies of social enterprises in
South Africa, two guides on finance and
legal forms for social enterprises in South
Africa, and a Social Business Plan Com-
petition Handbook.

The Resource Pack was produced by the

International Labour Organization as
part of its work on social economy enter-
prise development in South Africa. The
ILO is grateful to the Government of
Flanders for its support for this work.

ILO Pretoria
Crestway Block C
20 Hotel Street
Persequor, Pretoria
PO Box 11694, Hatfield 0028
+27 (0)12 818 8000

www.ilo.org