SME Podcast

This episode focuses on the critical need for entrepreneurial education to bridge South Africa’s R350 billion SME funding gap. Guest Jameel Khan explains the "missing middle"—businesses earning R1 million to R50 million that struggle to scale due to strict requirements and poor financial record-keeping.

The discussion covers funding readiness, strategic matching and overcoming the fear of finances to move from "lifestyle" businesses to scalable enterprises.

About Our Guest

Jameel Khan has over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, founder and angel investor. A Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and former Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Associate Chartered Management, his career is marked by a relentless commitment to innovation and support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through The Unconventional CA, Khan has supported nearly a thousand entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses worldwide, providing them with the guidance and resources needed to thrive. 

Guest Socials

Connect with Jameel on LinkedIn.

Links to Resources:

https://ember360.org/

👉Join us at the SME Funding Summit. Grab your ticket before they run out!

https://events.smesouthafrica.co.za/funding-summit-2026

Lerato Sebata has spent her career sitting at a table most people don't even know exists — the one where procurement policy, business strategy and real-world implementation actually collide. As founder and CEO of ROI Group, she's seen firsthand what happens when inclusive procurement works and, more often, what happens when it doesn't.

In this episode of the SME South Africa Podcast, Lerato breaks down the barriers keeping high-potential SMEs out of corporate and government supply chains, explains why winning a contract is only the beginning of the battle, and challenges the assumption that transformation is happening just because the policy says it should be.

Candid, specific and grounded in real experience, this conversation covers policy in practice, the working capital trap, DFI performance and what SME founders should actually do if they feel locked out of the system. This one's worth your time.

About Our Guest

Lerato Sebata is the CEO and Founder of ROI Group (Pty) Ltd. The company is a procurement and enterprise development firm redefining how SMEs access and succeed in supply chains. Sebata focuses on market access readiness and digital procurement solutions. With nearly two decades of cross-sector experience, she is a sought-after thought leader and business coach who brings clarity and commercial insights to procurement’s most pressing challenges.

Guest Socials

Connect with our guest on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠.

Links to Resources:

Tender Summit: ⁠https://www.tendersuccess.co.za/⁠ 

Lerato Sebata Podcast: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfmnfUe8QsdrtmKliUu5rwA⁠ 

SME Funding Summit: ⁠https://events.smesouthafrica.co.za/event/funding-summit-2026/⁠ 

👉 Join us at the SME Funding Summit. Grab your ticket before they run out:⁠https://events.smesouthafrica.co.za/funding-summit-2026