Salesforce
Zukile Msuthu
Senior Business Advisor (SMME)
Dunoon
Summary
Experienced freelance Business Advisor specializing in guiding local SMME's through compliance requirements, operational improvement, and growth strategies. Skilled in mentoring entrepreneurs, streamlining processes, and developing practical solutions to help small businesses thrive in competitive markets.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Small Business Advisor
Freelance
04.2024 - Current
- Guide entrepreneurs with business planning, compliance, funding access, marketing, and growth strategies while providing mentorship, training, and linking them to support networks.
- Assist in business registration, compliance, and legal documentation.
- Performing eligibility screening of new applications for funding in terms of Company's criteria and mandate.
- Empower SMMEs with knowledge on regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
- Conduct workshops on financial management, compliance, marketing, and other business skills.
- Provide follow-up support and assess the impact of interventions.
- Conduct comprehensive B-BBEE audits of clients across various sectors.
- Assist SMMEs in understanding and meeting legal obligations (e.g., BBBEE, Labour laws, etc.).
ESD Analyst
Accenture(Astron Energy)
07.2024 - 10.2024
- Identify, assess, and onboard qualifying suppliers for development programs.
- Conduct supplier gap analyses to determine areas for improvement.
- Facilitate training, mentorship, and support initiatives for small, black-owned or qualifying suppliers.
- Engage with SMEs to understand challenges and opportunities for growth.
- Ensure compliance with Skills Development Act, Employment Equity Act, and B-BBEE requirements.
- Ensure ESD initiatives comply with B-BBEE legislation and scorecard requirements.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits and verification purposes.
- Conduct supplier due diligence to identify SME development gaps.
- Prepare ESD reports for internal stakeholders and external verification agencies.
Entrepreneurial Development Practitioner
Small Enterprise Development Agency
11.2022 - 04.2024
- Provide professional advice to SMMEs on business operations, management, and strategy.
- Build and maintain partnerships with SEDA, NYDA, municipalities, TVET colleges, universities, and private sector partners.
- Facilitate access to markets, funding, and investment opportunities for incubatees and SMMEs.
- Develop and implement the incubator’s operational plan in line with institutional and government entrepreneurship development strategies.
- Manage daily operations of the incubator, ensuring effective service delivery to entrepreneurs and start-ups.
- Recruit, screen, and onboard incubatees (entrepreneurs and start-ups).
- Facilitate business development support — including mentorship, coaching, and training.
- Track the performance and growth of incubated businesses (job creation, revenue, sustainability).
Customer Consultant
Stock Market Performance
10.2019 - 06.2022
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs and providing them with customized financial solutions.
- Advise clients on stock market investments based on risk profile and objectives.
- Ensure all advisory activities comply with stock exchange regulations and legal requirements.
- Identify and evaluate potential market risks affecting client portfolios.
- Conduct training sessions or workshops on stock market basics, trading strategies, and investment principles.
- Ensure all due diligence processes align with company policies, regulatory requirements (e.g., FICA, KYC, AML), and industry standards.
Business Advisor
Liberty Life
11.2016 - 09.2017
- Build and maintain strong relationships with business clients.
- Maintaining detailed and complete records of all correspondence, findings, and evidence within designated systems.
- Conduct detailed financial assessments for business clients.
- Conduct due diligence on clients to assess creditworthiness and risk.
- Conduct workshops and training on entrepreneurship, compliance, and financial literacy.
- Prepare progress reports, impact assessments, and recommendations for improvement.
- Ensure all advice and solutions comply with financial regulations and internal policies.
- Develop strategies to attract new business clients and retain existing ones.
Administrator
Overberg Wealth & Risk Management
01.2016 - 11.2016
- Provide day-to-day administrative support to financial advisors, managers, and clients.
- Assist with onboarding new clients by preparing and processing application forms.
- Verify client information and ensure all documentation meets compliance requirements.
- Capture, update, and maintain financial data and client information accurately.
- Follow up on client requests, documentation, and application progress.
- Ensure all administrative processes comply with financial regulations (e.g., FICA, KYC, AML).
- Ensure all records are compliant with regulatory and company standards.
Stock Control Clerk
Propet Fibre SA
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Maintain accurate stock levels of raw materials, components, and finished products.
- Ensure proper documentation for incoming and outgoing stock.
- Monitor and enforce security measures to protect inventory.
- Ensure stock handling follows company policies and safety standards.
Customer Consultant
Builders Warehouse
04.2015 - 10.2015
- Ensure all customer information is collected, verified, and maintained according to company and regulatory requirements.
- Perform identity checks, address verifications, and other compliance-related documentation for customers.
- Educate customers on store policies, terms and conditions, and regulatory requirements.
- Handle customer complaints related to compliance issues, ensuring prompt resolution.
- Ensure customer data is collected, stored, and used in line with data protection regulations.
Project Officer (Intern)
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (REID)
03.2014 - 03.2015
- Provide administrative support for project operations, including arranging meetings, workshops, and events.
- Collect and maintain all relevant data to create a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) for the project(s), supporting accurate reporting and compliance.
- Ensure that the economic growth and development objectives relating to SMME development and entrepreneurship support are achieved.
- Engage with rural communities, traditional leaders, farmers, and entrepreneurs to identify development needs.
- Implement empowerment programmes that create jobs, promote self-employment, and stimulate local enterprise development.
- Provide information that informs government planning, resource allocation, and service delivery.
- Promote entrepreneurship programmes and incubation services in communities.
- Ensure that all data collection complies with government policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
- Develop and implement the incubator’s operational plan in line with institutional and government entrepreneurship development strategies.
Client Liaison Officer
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality
01.2013 - 12.2013
- Coordinating activities with local government agencies and nonprofit organization to ensure that community development goals are met.
- Compile and maintain area reports to support planning for the project community, consultation plan and engagement process, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available to stakeholders.
- Supporting community to advocate on issues influencing their social, economic and environmental circumstances and developments.
- Measure impact on local economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
Education
Assessor - In progress
Trojan Training Solutions
01.2025
Fieldworker Training and Data Collection - undefined
Enhancing linkage to care HIV for SA South African Medical Course Research Council
01.2018
Wealth Management Training - undefined
Liberty Life Academy
01.2016
Project Management Certificate - undefined
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
01.2015
Introduction to Logis Course (Procurements) - undefined
Western Cape Provincial Treasury
01.2014
Bachelor’s Degree - Economics & Business Management
University of Fort Hare
01.2012
National Senior Certificate | Grade 12 - undefined
N. Motman Public School
01.2006
Skills
- Strategic Planning - Expert
- Business Analysis - Expert
- Financial Management - Expert
- Advisory and Compliance Knowledge-Expert
- Risk Management - Expert
- Communication Skills - Expert
- Leadership Skills - Expert
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting- Expert
- Entrepreneurship Development- Expert
References
- D, Van Rooyen, Principal Manager, Deon.vanrooyen@liblink.co.za, 0828734942, 0215297040, Liberty Life
- N, Brito, Director, Nina.brito@drdlr.gov.za, 0732574295, 0214090300, Rural Development & Land Reform
- Ronell, Staphorst, SEDA BESD Project Manager, RStaphorst@seda.org.za, 0828724488, 0124411353, Small Enterprise Development Agency
Details
- Date of Birth: 24 September 1986
- Nationality: South African
- Gender: Male
- Driver's Licence: Code 10 (C1)PDP
- Criminal Record: None
Accomplishments
Successfully mentored over 50 small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), resulting in improved business operations, increased revenue, and sustainable growth.
Software
Calendly
Zoom/Google Meet/Microsoft Teams
Excel and PowerPoint
Zoho Books
Interests
Compliance and Risk Management risks effectivel
Market Research and Analysis
Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
Business Strategy and Planning
Networking and Partnerships
Financial Management and Analysis
Timeline
ESD Analyst
Accenture(Astron Energy)
07.2024 - 10.2024
Small Business Advisor
Freelance
04.2024 - Current
Entrepreneurial Development Practitioner
Small Enterprise Development Agency
11.2022 - 04.2024
Customer Consultant
Stock Market Performance
10.2019 - 06.2022
Business Advisor
Liberty Life
11.2016 - 09.2017
Administrator
Overberg Wealth & Risk Management
01.2016 - 11.2016
Stock Control Clerk
Propet Fibre SA
10.2015 - 01.2016
Customer Consultant
Builders Warehouse
04.2015 - 10.2015
Project Officer (Intern)
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (REID)
03.2014 - 03.2015
Client Liaison Officer
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality
01.2013 - 12.2013
Fieldworker Training and Data Collection - undefined
Enhancing linkage to care HIV for SA South African Medical Course Research Council
Wealth Management Training - undefined
Liberty Life Academy
Project Management Certificate - undefined
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
Introduction to Logis Course (Procurements) - undefined
Western Cape Provincial Treasury
Bachelor’s Degree - Economics & Business Management
University of Fort Hare
National Senior Certificate | Grade 12 - undefined
N. Motman Public School
Assessor - In progress
Trojan Training Solutions