Meet three of South Africa's most profitable small businesses

Meet three of South Africa's most profitable small businesses

- Several small South African businesses make significant profits

- These include Sorbet and Bos Brands, among others

- These companies show that success is possible in the country in a diverse range of sectors


Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken at length about empowering small businesses and providing the conditions for entrepreneurs to succeed, but in some cases small local companies are already thriving. 

Companies like Sorbet and Hello Group make considerable profits, despite a generally sluggish economy.

From online education to iced tea, here are SA's most successful small businesses.


Bos Brands, established in 2009, produces ice tea, and has expanded rapidly from a small local brand to a beverage juggernaut. In under a decade, the brand expanded from nothing to R100 million. Bos's executives chalk this up in part to extensive marketing, which initially cost the company as much as their turnover, according to Entrepeneur.

Another massively profitable local company is Sorbet, which specialises in spas and other health and beauty treatments. Over ten years, Sorbet grew from a single franchise to a brand which can be found in all the country's major cities. It has an annual turnover of roughly R500 million. 

READ ALSO: SA's singletons: People aged 18 to 34 most likely to be single

These companies show that, while never guaranteed, economic success is possible in South Africa.



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