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DBSP In South Africa |
The DBSP started training in August of 1996, when it piloted its first training intervention - the Dynamic Business Start-Up Programme (DBS Programme). During 1996 and the first part of 1997, the DBSP refined this programme. Since mid 1997, the DBS Programme has been upgraded 3 times and has been translated into Zulu and Afrikaans languages. In 2000, Hi-Eye-Q Training developed and piloted the DBSP's 2nd training programme, the Micro Business Start-Up Programme (MBS Programme). This programme was upgraded in 2007. It is more advanced than the DBS Programme and is aimed at people with a better education, or that have achieved a higher level of schooling. So whereas the DBS Programme can be run with people who have extremely little, or an elementary level of eductaion (primary school), the MBS Programme is for those that have completed, or are nearing the end of their high school studies. The MBS Programme is available in English and Afrikaans. Plans are afoot to translate both Programmes into all 9 official languages of South Africa and, as the opportunity presents itself, into languages for use in other African Countries.
The two programmes have similar outcomes, and it is the level of business that the learner wants to run that determines which programme is to be run. The DBS Programme is for those learners who are happy just to start up and run a business that will meet their basic needs for food, clothing, schooling for their children and a roof over their heads - in other words a Survivalist type of business. Generally, these businesses will be sole traders and will remain unregistered. The MBS Programme , on the other hand, is for those learners who want to start up a business that they will want to grow, register and develop the capacity of, as time goes by. These businesses could ultimately position themselves to take advantage of tenders and government and/or business contracts.
