Sitha Maliwa:
In a country where small businesses often struggle to survive against towering economic pressures, one company is quietly building a reputation as a lifeline for entrepreneurs determined to succeed.
Jalusi Corporation and its technology arm, Jalusi Tech, are emerging as powerful allies for South Africa’s small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), combining strategic business guidance with cutting-edge digital solutions to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable enterprises.
From the bustling townships to boardrooms of growing start-ups, Jalusi’s mission is clear: empower small businesses to compete, scale and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
Founded on the conviction that small businesses form the backbone of South Africa’s economic future, Jalusi Corporation has carved out a niche in strategic consulting, enterprise development and financial advisory services. The company assists entrepreneurs with everything from navigating regulatory compliance and BBBEE requirements to refining operational strategies that can turn fragile start-ups into resilient enterprises.
But it is through Jalusi Tech that the group is driving what many see as a quiet digital revolution among emerging businesses.
The technology division provides custom software development, cloud hosting, secure networks, and web and mobile application development – tools that were once considered the preserve of large corporations. Today, Jalusi Tech is placing those same capabilities into the hands of small business owners eager to modernise their operations.
Managing Director Thandiwe Shema believes technology has become the decisive factor separating struggling businesses from those poised for growth.
“We see technology not simply as a tool, but as a growth enabler,” she says. “Through Jalusi Tech, we help SMMEs adopt digital systems that enhance efficiency, professionalism and competitiveness in markets that were previously beyond their reach.”
Beyond technology, Jalusi has also stepped into a critical space that many entrepreneurs find daunting: funding readiness.
Working alongside institutions such as the National Empowerment Fund, the company helps small businesses prepare for investment opportunities by equipping them with the knowledge and systems required by formal funders and financial institutions.
Through structured mentorship programmes and intensive training cycles that can run for several months, entrepreneurs are guided through the fundamentals of business planning, financial literacy, governance and compliance. The goal is simple but transformative – to ensure that when opportunity knocks, businesses are ready to open the door.
The approach also aligns with the broader national push for formal compliance and operational readiness, priorities often emphasised by authorities such as the South African Revenue Service as essential for long-term sustainability.
Under Shema’s leadership, Jalusi Corporation and Jalusi Tech have steadily built a reputation for innovation and transformation within South Africa’s evolving tech landscape.
That momentum was recognised internationally when the company was named among the Top 5 finalists in the Secure Digital Infrastructure category of the G20 SA Tech Challenge 2025, a prestigious platform highlighting technological innovation across the country.
The recognition reflects not only Jalusi’s technological expertise but also its commitment to economic inclusion. A significant portion of the company’s workforce is made up of women and young professionals – a deliberate effort to nurture the next generation of leaders within South Africa’s knowledge economy.
For many of the entrepreneurs Jalusi works with, the company represents more than a consulting firm or technology provider. It represents possibility.
In a nation where unemployment remains stubbornly high and small businesses often carry the hopes of entire communities, Jalusi Corporation’s work is quietly reshaping what opportunity looks like.
And as South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to rise against formidable odds, companies like Jalusi are proving that with the right support, small businesses can indeed dream big – and deliver even bigger. – @NewsSA_Online
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