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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Small Enterprise Consulting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90822  Postgraduate Diploma: Small Enterprise Consulting 
ORIGINATOR
TSIBA Education NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2021-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2022-06-30   2025-06-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification aims to address the paucity of qualified mentors/consultants of entrepreneurs in South Africa. The aim is to produce graduates that are capable of providing small to medium sized entrepreneurial businesses with an integrated support solution.

Curriculum Design:
The curriculum is designed to not only enhance the students' knowledge and skills in the various facets of business support relevant to an entrepreneurial venture but also to ensure that the learner is able to educate the entrepreneur in a similar fashion. In other words the qualification is aimed at providing personal development for the learner on a number of levels as well as "train-the-trainer" skills.

Rationale:
At present there are reportedly over 330,000 funded job vacancies in the public sector and hundreds more in the City administrations of South Africa's economic engines of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. This despite unemployment levels exceeding 26% and a projected youth unemployment figure estimated at over 40%.

South Africa's National Skills Development Plan has targeted Entrepreneurship (Code 600 addition to BBBEE) as well as the training of entrepreneurs and the starting of new businesses as the most important way to stimulate organic growth in the economy. Despite this, South Africa's Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) is a very low 5% - less than half its closest profiles in comparable developing countries like India, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico where TEA respectively are 11.5%, 12%, 24,5% and 13.1%. In addition, at least eight out of 10 start-ups are doomed to failure, primarily due to lack of managerial and financial skills, lack of self confidence, lack of creativity and innovation as well as lack of mentoring and coaching opportunities.

During the years that the institution has been supporting and mentoring entrepreneurs and small businesses, it has become apparent that there is a desperate need to develop a formal qualification that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to all the academic knowledge and practical skills that the individuals involved in mentoring and supporting businesses need to be able to effectively support ("take the hands of a promising entrepreneur") the entrepreneurs South Africa so desperately needs to kick-start the economy.

By accepting groups of approximately 20 learners into this fine grained and highly supported practical qualification, direct stakeholder needs are met. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners should:
  • Be able to read and critically evaluate academic texts in English and communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text that is grammatically correct, well structured, clear and concise, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing at NQF Level 7.
  • Be competent in the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding developed in learning at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL is applied for learners who do not have formal academic achievement to gain access to this qualification. Proven expertise and competency will be considered. Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification study achieved.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners may be accepted for the qualification if they hold a:
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Entrepreneurship.
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Enterprise Development.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Management: Enterprise Management. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules and elective modules at NQF level 8 totalling 120 credits.

    Compulsory Modules
  • Entrepreneurship, 20 credits
  • Entrepreneurial Finance, 16 credits
  • Applied Coaching and Mentoring, 20 credits
  • Leadership, 16 credits
  • Business Communications and Information Management, 10 credits
  • Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business, 10 credits
  • Small Enterprise Consulting, 20 credits

    Electives Modules (select one)
  • Global Business, 8 credits
  • Social Entrepreneurship, 8 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Approach entrepreneurial firms and provide a structured approach to the analysis of the special problems of entrepreneurial finance issues.
    2. Apply the disciplines of mentoring and coaching and impart insight on how to address common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
    3. Develop an appreciation of the role and value of leadership in organisations and the contributions to develop high-impact leadership.
    4. Apply the principles of strategic communication to letters, memos, e-mails, reports and oral presentations.
    5. Select entrepreneurs and set up learning and mentoring processes.
    6. Create in an entrepreneur the ability to scope for relevant legal regulatory frameworks (e.g. BBBEE) and plan contract executions strategically within such frameworks.
    7. Evaluate and analyse business opportunities and investment and business network potentials with a particular focus on the SADC countries, COMESA region and Africa at large as well as within Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).
    8. Examine the conditions required for innovation and entrepreneurship to make a strong impact on societal problems.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded in the qualification and will be assessed appropriately. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Entrepreneurial financing options are analysed.
    > Range: Government grants, vendor financing, convertible debt, factoring and lease finance.
  • Qualitative simulation and scenario analysis are used to analyse strategic financial options available to a firm, identify and communicate the optimal option and estimate and describe a firm's financial needs based on the recommended module of action.
  • Effective Cost Structure that describes all costs incurred to operate the business model is designed.
  • Simple cash flow statements are designed and evaluated.
  • Basic quantitative tools in analysing financing options and structure are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The growth and progress of an entrepreneur is critically monitored throughout the life-cycle or stages of business interactions.
  • A finalised plan to motivate and mentor an entrepreneur to accomplishment is developed.
  • Options for a start-up, existing or growing SME are developed and actionable steps toward a mentoring plan, created.
  • Alternative options for growth are explored for entrepreneur.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • An enhanced skill and capability as a leader is demonstrated.
  • The tasks and skills of strategic leadership are critically analysed and practiced.
  • Effective leadership to entrepreneurs is provided.
  • The dynamics of diverse leadership styles are applied and articulated.
  • A leadership stance that encourages entrepreneurial savvy, generates responsibility and creates a survival attitude of an entrepreneur is implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Ability to write e-mails, memos and letters effectively to convey business messages is demonstrated.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in an oral manner is practiced.
  • Communication to suit multicultural perspectives and dynamism is adapted.
  • Latest information technology that supports e-business, e-marketing, e-communication is synthesised and managed.
  • Business information systems to support entrepreneurial growth are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The entrepreneurial journey/process is monitored and evaluated.
  • Systems to provide guidance and support on the entrepreneurial journey are developed.
  • Fundamental business tools to enable entrepreneurship are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The impact of regulatory burdens on entrepreneurship are assessed and evaluated.
  • Different regulatory and legal environmental factors are considered and options for entrepreneurship support and survival are synthesised and generated.
  • An understanding of the framework of legislations like the BBBEE, Co-operatives Act 2003 and the Small Business Act 2003 for entrepreneurs and work within such frameworks to grow entrepreneurship is demonstrated.
  • Opportunities offered by governmental departments and policy agency support for small business and entrepreneurial growth are assessed and prescribed.
  • Strategies for adopting and reaping benefits from relevant portions of legislations like Procurement and ED Code under BBBEE are analysed and stipulated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Viability of SA entrepreneurs ventures' in overseas markets; SADC, COMESA and BRIC are assessed.
  • Different modes of engagement with international markets and decisions that relate to the choice of markets and entry strategies are analysed.
  • The political, social, economic, technological and other configurations that support cross-border trade within SADC, COMESA and BRIC countries and the possible impact on entrepreneurship are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Social conditions requiring entrepreneurial interventions are identified and analysed.
  • Social entrepreneurial initiatives are described.
  • Social enterprise ideas and concepts are interpreted.
  • The development and effectiveness of the financial strategy for a social initiative are analysed.
  • Social enterprise concepts to impact on communities are adapted and applied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment methods are both formative and summative.

    Formative assessment component comprises monthly mini-reports based on an evaluation of how well the learner has been able to apply the academic content learned in the previous block, to the entrepreneur.

    There will be a total of four such reports to be submitted and assessed. Upon obtaining at least 50% in the reports, a learner qualifies for the summative assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Small Enterprise Consulting is compared with two qualifications from African Universities with a similar focus. The socioeconomic status of these countries is similar hence this qualification compares favourably.

    The School of Human Resource Development at the MOI University in Kenya offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Development. The qualification aims to provide learners with key concepts needed to successfully manage small enterprises. The following are modules that learners should complete:
  • Enterprise Development Concepts and Theories.
  • Economics of Entrepreneurship.
  • Taxation in Small Enterprises.
  • Financial Management in Small Enterprises.
  • Marketing in Small Enterprises.
  • Technology, Creativity and Innovation in Small Enterprise.

    The University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development. The qualification intention is to enhance the capacity of business development services practitioners to provide high standards of effective support for enterprise development.

    Modules:
  • Theories of Entrepreneurship.
  • The Environment for Business Development in Tanzania.
  • Project Formulation (with a project).
  • Entrepreneurship Education and Training.
  • Marketing for Small Business.
  • Design and Management of Entrepreneurship Development Programmes.
  • Accounting for Small Business.
  • Financial Management for Small Business.
  • Consulting Skills (with a project).
  • Business Diagnosis and Counselling.
  • Business Planning (with project).
  • Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

    Conclusion:
    The two African qualifications equip graduates with skills and knowledge within the sector and blend their varied interests while still affording a solid, and exciting, career path. The qualifications also develop among learners entrepreneurship skills vital for the sector in developing countries. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation possibilities include:
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Enterprise Management.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Enterprise Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship.

    Vertical articulation possibilities include:
  • Master of Commerce: Enterprise Development.
  • Master of Commerce: Enterprise Management.
  • Master of Philosophy with an Entrepreneurial focus. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Course content, assignments and tests (test papers and test scripts) will be subjected to internal and external moderation.

    External moderators are selected based on their expertise in the particular field of study, covered by the module/s. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must:
  • Have a relevant higher education qualification that is one level above the modules being assessed.
  • Be an experienced tutor with experience in the particular module. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. Tsiba Education - Mupine 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.