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Now is the best time to create businesses and jobs in South Africa and South Africans with international experience are returning home with great ideas, says the Homecoming Revolution, ahead of the forthcoming conference, "Entrepreneurship – The Way Forward in South Africa".

In every crisis lies an opportunity and, as Sir Richard Branson says, "Fortunes are made out of recessions. A lot of entrepreneurs get going in the economic depths because the barriers to entry are lower."

But how do you get to spot opportunities in one country while living in another? For South Africans in Europe, the answer lies in the one-day Entrepreneurs Workshop to be held on 9th May in London by the Homecoming Revolution and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), "Entrepreneurship – The Way Forward in South Africa".

In every crisis lies an opportunity .... "Fortunes are made out of recessions"

Entrepreneurs are in the business of seeing opportunities where others don't and then working with passion and energy to bring an idea to life in the form of a new business enterprise. They produce opportunities for others and create substantial wealth for themselves. Being an entrepreneur is about using one's creativity, drive and leadership to shift the status quo. Entrepreneurs redefine the way business is done.

According to Nick Binedell, the Director of GIBS, the South African economy is one that offers enormous opportunities to the entrepreneur.

"The South African economy has benefited from the drive and energy of an extraordinary set of entrepreneurs," he says. "For an economy of its size, it has produced a disproportionate number of individuals and businesses that have gone on to become global champions in their industry. This success has mainly to do with the type of business environment in which South African entrepreneurs find themselves."

Describing the South African as one that is "restless and turbulent", Binedell sees the current economy as one "full of opportunity for those with the energy and drive to take full advantage."

In downturns, says Binedell, there are opportunities for people to start out and lay out a new value proposition for business idea, while large companies are often caught between memory and vision and are slower to react to rapidly changing circumstances.

"This is where the new players come in, riding off new technologies, riding off a different business model, and they may come in at a lower cost structure or a better product proposition," he says.

"The lovely thing about South Africa is it has a highly entrepreneurial spirit. There are people who'll be reading these markets and finding the gap and starting new companies."

For many South Africans facing restricted job markets in the UK and Europe as well as soaring costs of living, returning home is an increasingly attractive prospect, says Binedell, who sees the mood for business in South Africa as more upbeat than in the West.

"The lovely thing about South Africa is it has a highly entrepreneurial spirit. There are people who'll be reading these markets and finding the gap and starting new companies."

"In recent times we have seen a surge of interest in South Africans wanting to come back to not only make their place in the sun, but find a way to contribute to a fast changing society."

The specially designed one day event, which takes place at Altitude in Westminster, central London, will give people the opportunity to engage with successful entrepreneursin South Africa who have spotted unique opportunities and grown successful businesses.

Martine Schaffer, Managing Director of Homecoming Revolution, an independent, non-profit organisation that encourages and facilitates the return to South Africa of skilled South Africans around the world, sees this Workshop as a vital source of information for those interested in enterprise.

"We know that in order to continue to build the economy, jobs need to be created and South Africans with international experience and exposure return with great ideas that they bring home. With this event we are hoping to inspire them, as well as give them practical starting points."

Coming back home, she says, is becoming an increasingly popular option for South Africa's expat population.

"Our enquiries have increased 35% year on year and many are seeing it as an opportunity to return and create the future they want."

Speakers for the event include Professor Nick Binedell, Director of GIBS, Paul Harris, CEO of FirstRand Group and Kevin Vermaak, Founder of the Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race. The MC for the day will be Ithumeleng Kgaboesele, CEO of Sphere Holdings and President of Entrepreneurs Organisation.

"Entrepreneurship – The Way Forward in South Africa" takes place on 9 May from 11 am until 5 pm. Places are limited and tickets will not be for sale on the day, so reservations are required. Bookings can be made online at www.satickets.co.uk

For an updated programme and further information on the event, visit www.homecomingrevolution.co.za

Photos: (top) Bloemfontein, Free State, province: The Lochlogan Shopping Centre and waterfront in the city centre. Graeme Williams www.MediaClubSouthAfrica.com

Hip Hop Photo: Rodger Bosch, www.MediaClubSouthAfrica.com