34

South Africa

The best countries to be a social entrepreneur 2019

2016 Rank: 37

Country summary

South Africa's ranking advanced three points to 34th, bolstered by its third place for social entrepreneurship momentum, up 15 points from 2016. It became easier for social entrepreneurs to access grants, attract staff with the required skills and make a living from their work in the last three years.

Expert view

"As South Africa has a huge youth unemployment problem, more and more young people are trying to solve social problems in a socially entrepreneurial manner. I believe Africa is the continent to watch generally for social entrepreneurs making amazing social change."

 Mary Gillett-de Klerk, National Chairperson, Social Enterprise And Cooperative Society Of South Africa (SEACSOSA)

Polling results

How south africa fared for each question (between 1 and 44). 1 is best

  • 38

    Government SupportGovernment policy supports social entrepreneurs.
    2016 Rank: 39

  • 22

    Attracting Skilled StaffIt is easy for social entrepreneurs to attract staff with the required skills.
    2016 Rank: 41

  • 26

    Public UnderstandingThe general public understands what social entrepreneurs do.
    2016 Rank: 34

  • 10

    Making a LivingSocial entrepreneurs can make a living from their work in my country.
    2016 Rank: 14

  • 03

    Gaining MomentumSocial entrepreneurship is gaining momentum.
    2016 Rank: 18

  • 38

    Access to InvestmentIt is easy for social entrepreneurs to access investment (debt and/or equity).
    2016 Rank: 39

  • 29

    Conditions are favourable for social entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses
    2016 Rank: 27

  • 27

    It is easy for social entrepreneurs to get grant funding
    2016 Rank: 39

  • 39

    Social entrepreneurs can access the non-financial support they need
    2016 Rank: 37

  • 37

    It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to government
    2016 Rank: 26

  • 25

    It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to business
    2016 Rank: 23

  • 10

    It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to the public
    2016 Rank: 04

Questions we asked

Click a question below to explore a summary of the key findings and see the polling results. 1 is best.

Conditions are favourable for social entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses

Government policy supports social entrepreneurs

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to get grant funding

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to access investment (debt and/or equity)

Social entrepreneurs can access the non-financial support they need (e.g. financial, legal and technical advice; access to markets and networks; coaching, mentoring and training)

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to government

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to business

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to sell to the public

It is easy for social entrepreneurs to attract staff with the required skills

The general public understands what social entrepreneurs do

Social entrepreneurs can make a living from their work in my country