Author(s): Obey Dzomonda
This study investigated the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs in South Africa. The study adopted a quantitative research methodology. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire in a survey. The questionnaires were distributed to 60 social entrepreneurs in Polokwane. The snowball sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings of this study showed that social entrepreneurs in South Africa are confronted with a plethora of challenges such as lack of funding, lack of government support, difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified employees and break ins emanating from the newness of the social entrepreneurship concept which weakens their interventions towards dealing with social ills among marginalized communities. The findings of this study are of value to key stakeholders such as the government, donors and the academia. Recommendations were made for the government to reconsider their support programmes to also include social entrepreneurs