Social Entrepreneurship

Refers to the practice of creating and managing innovative, mission-driven businesses

or initiatives that are designed to solve specific social or environmental
problems.
Reasons for Social Entrepreneurship
Economic & Social inequalities going on worldwide.
NB: It's possible to make money and do something for the community-This idea called
Social Entrepreneurship.
Social Entrepreneurship- is new and created approach to; Business, Social
Engagement & Social Services.
There numerous organizations operating worldwide, and other countries called Social
Enterprise

Social Enterprise- just like any other business. It generates profit.

Profit- How if profit is used. They way the profit is used for Social mission
Social Enterprise do not serve to enrich the shareholders. But to contribute to social
Equality, to improve the. Living Conditions of people in the community

NB: Generated profit is reinvested in the business for realising social goals such as;
job creation, social inclusion, preservation of the environment, health care,
preservation of the environment, cultural needs etc. Uses business as a means of
social change
Social Problems Examples
Poverty Alleviation:

Example: Grameen Bank (Bangladesh): Grameen Bank provides microloans to

impoverished individuals, particularly women, enabling them to start small businesses
and improve their economic conditions.
Access to Education:

Example: Room to Read (Global): Room to Read focuses on improving children's

literacy and gender equality in education by building libraries, providing books, and
supporting girls' education in low-income countries.
Healthcare Access:

Example: PharmaJet (Global): PharmaJet has developed needle-free injection

technology to improve access to safe and affordable vaccines, particularly in
developing countries.
Unemployment and Job Creation:

Example: The Clothing Bank (South Africa): This organization empowers unemployed
individuals by providing them with entrepreneurial skills and support to start their
small clothing businesses, creating job opportunities.
Environmental Problems

Climate Change Mitigation:

Example: The Ocean Cleanup (Global): Founded by Boyan Slat, The Ocean Cleanup
develops advanced technologies to remove plastic pollution from the world's oceans,
contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Renewable Energy Adoption:

Example: M-KOPA Solar (East Africa): M-KOPA Solar offers affordable solar home
systems to off-grid households, providing clean and sustainable energy access to
communities.
Waste Reduction and Recycling:

Example: EcoBrick Exchange (South Africa): This initiative encourages communities

to collect and reuse plastic waste by turning it into "ecobricks," which are used for
construction projects, reducing plastic pollution.
Biodiversity Conservation:

Example: Conservation International (Global): Conservation International works to

protect and conserve biodiversity by partnering with local communities, governments,
and businesses to promote sustainable land and ocean management.
Water and Sanitation Solutions:
Example: Water.org (Global): Water.org facilitates access to safe water and
sanitation in developing regions through microloans and partnerships with local
organizations.
Unlike traditional entrepreneurship, which primarily focuses on profit generation,
social entrepreneurship places equal emphasis on generating positive social
and environmental impact alongside financial sustainability.

Botswana: In Botswana, social entrepreneurship refers to ventures and initiatives that

address social and environmental issues while also generating sustainable revenue.
One example is the organization "Green Botswana," which focuses on sustainable
farming practices while creating employment opportunities for local communities.

South Africa: In South Africa, social entrepreneurship involves using innovative

business models to tackle societal problems. The "The Clothing Bank" is a prime
example, as it empowers unemployed individuals by providing them with
entrepreneurial skills and support in running their own small clothing businesses.

Zimbabwe: In Zimbabwe, social entrepreneurship involves creating businesses that

prioritize positive social impact alongside financial sustainability. The "Kufunda Village"
project promotes sustainable agriculture, education, and community development in
rural areas.

World: Globally, social entrepreneurship is about using business principles and

practices to address pressing social and environmental challenges. An example is
TOMS Shoes, which pioneered the "One for One" model, donating a pair of shoes for
every pair sold, addressing the global issue of inadequate footwear in impoverished
regions.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship:

Botswana: Botswana's "Ecoexist Project" promotes sustainable coexistence between

humans and wildlife by creating economic opportunities through ecotourism and
sustainable agriculture practices.
South Africa: The "Woolworths Good Business Journey" initiative focuses on
sustainability by working to reduce their environmental footprint, support local
communities, and promote ethical sourcing.

Zimbabwe: "Reforest Africa" is a project that engages in sustainable forestry practices,

ensuring the responsible management of forests while providing employment and
wood products for the local economy.

World: Patagonia, a global outdoor apparel company, is known for its commitment to
sustainability, using recycled materials and donating a percentage of profits to
environmental causes.

Shared Value:

Botswana: "Wilderness Safaris" in Botswana combines luxury tourism with

conservation efforts, creating shared value by preserving natural habitats while also
benefiting local communities.

South Africa: "Nedbank's Affordable Housing Initiative" in South Africa partners with
low-income communities to develop affordable housing, generating shared value for
both the bank and the residents.

Zimbabwe: "Higherlife Foundation" is dedicated to improving education and

healthcare in Zimbabwe, creating shared value by investing in the future workforce
and the well-being of the population.

World: Unilever's "Sustainable Living Plan" seeks to create shared value by addressing
global sustainability challenges while also increasing the company's profitability
through more sustainable practices.

Social entrepreneurship is a dynamic and evolving field, and these examples

demonstrate how it manifests in different regions, including Botswana, South Africa,
Zimbabwe, and globally.