Sports for All - South Africa's first registered social franchise - is a true home-grown franchising success story. It is also an excellent example of how lateral thinking can turn a sound business model into a successful social development project
Sports for All establishes sports-coaching franchises in townships and rural areas to provide children with access to sports training and a safe environment in which to spend time after school. In doing so, it also creates employment and sustainable black-owned businesses.
How it works:
Sport for All head office raises funds, selects the community in which to operate and obtains the necessary permissions and support from local leaders and authorities. It then advertises for a franchisee from the community and rigorously evaluates applicants.
The franchisee has to contribute a minimum of R 5 000 and a maximum of 10% of the set-up costs as the franchisee's commitment to the business. This is then used as working capital.
Members of the community pay a nominal monthly membership fee to use the Sports for All facilities. This covers monthly running costs and coaches' salaries. Children who can't afford the fee, is sponsored by the Sports for All Orphaned and Vulnerable Children's Fund.
Each franchisee receives a smart-card-based player management system that facilitates payment and accurately records all interactions between coaches and children. The information is then consolidated centrally in a database that funders can access via the internet.
Since 2007, six Sports for All franchises have opened their doors - four in Gauteng (Katlehong, Palmridge, Nyala and Atteridgeville) and one each in Limpopo (Thabazimbi) and the Northwest Province (Kagisano Municipality).
What is social franchising?
Social franchising (also known as "not-for-profit franchising") is a relatively new concept in South Africa. It uses the structure of commercial franchising to achieve social goals.
The social franchise involves three role players:
1. The franchisor
2. The franchisee
3. The donor/funding partner
For more information, visit www.sportforall.org
Please login to comment on this article.
