(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Hassiem, Washied; Hirschsohn, Philip
The South African economy is in desperate need of entrepreneurs to create
job opportunities and boost economic growth. This thesis seeks to develop a deeper
understanding of the entrepreneurship process, to understand why people become
entrepreneurs, how they ventured into their existing businesses and the factors that
affected their entrepreneurial learning and business growth. A qualitative approach using the method of indepth
semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs who have demonstrated
entrepreneurial attainment in managing their business ventures for more than ten
years. Life story interviews explored their experience during their careers and
business ventures.