A new book by the University of the Western Cape’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) aims to shift the narrative on youth unemployment in South Africa by placing entrepreneurship at the centre of economic recovery efforts.
Set for launch on 5 August 2025, Entrepreneurship Education: A South African Perspective on Supporting Small Business Development is a two-volume, interdisciplinary publication co-edited by EMS Dean Professor Michelle Esau and Professor Walter Geach. It draws on insights from scholars across six disciplines to provide fresh, practical strategies for small- and micro-enterprise development.
The release follows sobering statistics from Statistics South Africa showing youth unemployment reached 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025—an alarming rise from 44.6% at the end of 2024.
Describing the book as “pragmatic,” Prof Esau said it goes beyond academic theory to offer grounded, real-world solutions for entrepreneurs and policymakers alike. “It addresses the challenges, but also the opportunities, within South Africa’s small-business landscape. It’s written for those building businesses—and for those building the systems that support them.”
Key chapters examine the regulatory hurdles that continue to stifle small business growth, with case studies and recommendations informed by the lived experiences of local entrepreneurs.
More than just a critique of existing systems, the book encourages entrepreneurship as a national strategy to address poverty, stimulate innovation, and build sustainable livelihoods. It positions small business development as a critical driver of service delivery improvements and economic inclusion.
Prof Esau said she hopes the publication will encourage stronger collaboration between academia, government, and industry to create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“This is about shifting mindsets—from job-seeking to job-creating. We need to empower a generation to see entrepreneurship as a viable, supported path forward,” she said.
