SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Investigate the possibilities of establishing and running a small business enterprise (SMME) 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117244  Investigate the possibilities of establishing and running a small business enterprise (SMME) 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Insurance and Investment 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10386  Investigate the possibilities of establishing and running a small business enterprise (SMME)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners who achieve this unit standard know their own strengths and weaknesses and can use their self-knowledge to make a decision on a possible business option for self-employment.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Identifying and researching the potential for a SMME as an own business.
  • Identifying the risk associated with a SMME.
  • Explaining the financial aspects involved in running a SMME.
  • Making and supporting a decision as to whether to establish a SMME. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    There is open access to this unit standard. Learners should be competent in Communication, Mathematical Literacy and Financial Literacy at NQF Level 3. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard is:
    1. SMMEs include vendors, franchises, brokerages, spaza shops, IT services, cleaning services, underwriting agents, etc.
    2. Poor financial management includes poor cash flow planning, lack of understanding of overdraft requirements, poor management of debtors and creditors, bad debts, unplanned growth, poor screening of debtors, inadequate financial controls.
    3. Short term insurance needs include building, fire, theft, stock, vehicle, movable assets.
    4. Long term insurance needs include key-man insurance, temporary disablement, buy and sell agreements with partners, death cover, cover to repay business loans, computer insurance, etc. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and research the potential for a SMME as an own business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal strengths, weaknesses, abilities and passions are analysed and a personal profile is compiled in order to match personal traits and abilities to a business opportunity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A personal profile is matched to type of work, product or service that has potential as an SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Training required to ensure the success of a SMME is identified and a decision is made on when and where to access training. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need for the identified product or service and possible competition is researched in a selected area and a decision is made about possible distribution channels. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A decision is made and supported on a suitable location for a selected SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Municipal by laws and other constraints on trade are investigated for a selected SMME in a specific location. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The importance of networking for a SMME is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the risk associated with a SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The financial risks encountered by SMMEs are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Risks associated with being an employer are explained for a SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need for advertising and marketing by a SMME is explained and an indication is given of the associated risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Risks associated with growth are discussed for three different scenarios. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The insurance needs of a SMME are investigated for a specific enterprise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The risks associated with stock and other business assets are described and an indication is given of possible measures to reduce the risk. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the financial aspects involved in running a SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concepts of start up and working capital are explained with reference to a specific SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship between cash flow and profit is explained for three case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Financial controls required to ensure that a business is viable are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implications of poor financial management are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The types of contract that a SMME could enter into are named and a contract wording is interpreted and explained in plain language. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The tax responsibilities of a SMME are explained and an indication is given of when a business is liable for each form of tax. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Make and support a decision on whether to establish an SMME. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of an entrepreneur is explained with reference to risk. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Three selected SMMEs are surveyed to establish the service levels required for success. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A decision is made to establish or not establish a SMME supported by the findings of an investigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Three selected SMMEs are surveyed to establish quality of produce and potential productivity required for success. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    This Unit Standard will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by a relevant accredited ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant accredited ETQA. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    This Unit Standard supports in particular, the following critical cross field outcomes at Unit Standard level:
  • The learner can reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively in knowing his/her own strengths and weaknesses and deciding how to access appropriate training.
  • The learner can participate as a responsible citizen in the life of the local and national community by investigating possibilities for self-employment.
  • The learner can be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts in deciding on the need for and location of a SMME.
  • The learner can explore education and career opportunities by investigating the possibilities of running a small business. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner can identify and solve problems in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made in deciding whether establish an enterprise and where it should be located. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner can work effectively with others as a member of a community in surveying the need for a business and the service levels necessary for success. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner can organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in matching his/her personal profile to a possible business enterprise and planning for self-employment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner can collect, organise and evaluate information researching the need for a service and possible competition, selecting a location for an enterprise and investigating municipal by laws and constraints on trade. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and language skills in oral and written presentation when supporting a decision to establish a business enterprise and interpreting a contract wording. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner can demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by relating own personality traits and strengths to selecting a business opportunity and the risk associated with SMMEs. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has replaced 10386 which was "Investigate the possibilities of establishing and running a small business enterprise (SMME)", Level 4 with 3 credits 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67354   Further Education and Training Certificate: Piano Technology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Core  65669   Further Education and Training Certificate: Thoroughbred Horse Racing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  49089   National Certificate: Financial Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  INSETA 
    Elective  50285   National Certificate: Professional Driving  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 
    Elective  61669   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Water, Health and Sanitation Facilitation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 
    Elective  49649   Further Education and Training Certificate: Long-term Insurance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  INSETA 
    Elective  58350   Further Education and Training Certificate: Perishable Produce Exportation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  73298   Further Education and Training Certificate: Photography  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  66610   Further Education and Training Certificate: Short Term Insurance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  57613   Further Education and Training Certificate: Short-Term Risk Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  INSETA 
    Elective  66613   Further Education and Training Certificate: Wealth Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  49123   National Certificate: Journalism  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2007-10-18  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  58978   National Certificate: Journalism  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  49023   National Diploma: Liaison Interpreting  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  QCTO 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. AAH Skills and Development 
    2. Akane Training Academy 
    3. Algoa Bus Company 
    4. All-in-one Driving Academy 
    5. Andebe Group 
    6. Bakubung Driver Training and consultants CC 
    7. Bev Short Training Consultants 
    8. Bolton Business College & Computer Studies 
    9. Bumbene Safety Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    10. Buscor 
    11. Centre for Logistics Excellence (Pty) Ltd 
    12. CHAMDOR DRIVER TRAINING CC 
    13. CHILUTSI TRADING ENTERPRISE 
    14. Circleway College 
    15. Clearline Consulting Pty Ltd 
    16. Dee's Training (PTY) LTD 
    17. Dees Driver Training Centre 
    18. Dionysus Skills Development Initiative (Pty) Ltd 
    19. Dynamic Institute of Training S.A 
    20. EDU - FLEET 
    21. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    22. ESS Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    23. Evaflex 
    24. Frayintermedia Cc 
    25. Golden Arrow Bus Services_pty Ltd 
    26. Green Light Training and Projects 
    27. GREENRIM TRAINING PTY LTD 
    28. HAZYVIEW WATER SKILLS ACADEMY 
    29. He and She Driver Training Centre 
    30. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    31. Imperial Logistics Group t/a Dedicated Contracts 
    32. Inkqubela Consultants 
    33. Innovative Shared Services 
    34. Iyanda Holdings(Pty) Ltd 
    35. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    36. kholwa management and training consultancy (pty) Ltd 
    37. Khulani HR Consultancy (Pty) Ltd 
    38. KZN Taxi and Commuter Corporation NPC 
    39. Learncorp 
    40. Little Treehouse Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    41. Lwaze Lwanda General Traders CC 
    42. MadibengGeneral Suppliers 
    43. Madidi Supply Chain Institute & Business Institute 
    44. Makwedeng Training 
    45. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    46. Mnce Trading cc 
    47. Mpofu Engineering Projects 
    48. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    49. Ndikho Ndinani Protection (Pty) Ltd 
    50. NOSA LOGISTICS PTY LTD 
    51. Ntsoaki Driving School 
    52. Pal Passenger Bus Services 
    53. Paradise Skills Development CC 
    54. Phephani Learnerships cc 
    55. Posh Multimedia 
    56. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 
    57. PPLE Group Pty Ltd 
    58. Precision skills development and training 
    59. Pretoria Technical College 
    60. Pro-Driver Trucking Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    61. PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD 
    62. PUTCO Limited 
    63. PUTCO Pty Ltd 
    64. Quantum Leap College Pty Ltd 
    65. Royal Impression Academy 
    66. Safe and Eco Driving Pty Ltd 
    67. SEANEGO INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 
    68. Segaole Driving School 
    69. Sobabini Group Pty Ltd 
    70. South African Transport Centre of Excellence 
    71. SPINA Consultancy cc Cape Town 
    72. SVA Training 
    73. THABO Training and Services 
    74. THAKALANI INVESTMENT AND PROJECTS CC 
    75. The Skills Authority 
    76. THE SKILLS COLLEGE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING(PTY) LTD 
    77. THOBOLOGO TRAINING & EDUCATION GROUP 
    78. Thobologo Training and Education Group 
    79. Thwala Training Services (Pty) Ltd 
    80. Together Lifestyle Resort Pty Ltd 
    81. Training Consultant and SD College 
    82. TSP COLLEGE 
    83. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    84. Vhonisani Training Academy & Projects 
    85. VSL General Trading CC 
    86. VSS College (Pty) LTD 
    87. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    88. Whitestone College 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.