CGI was founded by Mamodishe Caroline Sebati. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Mamodishe witnessed the challenges faced by historically disadvantaged individuals in starting and growing their businesses. She observed that businesses often remained stagnant and most of the businesses failed. While the government was investing huge resources in enterprise development, many small and micro businesses did not experience the support as intended. Mamodishe had always wanted to understand why the disconnect exists but was not able to venture into entrepreneurship early in her career. Mamodishe’s career was in the formal sector mainly with international organizations.

 

Her involvement in enterprise development work during her career in the United Nations ignited the passion she work for working with entrepreneurs. She was exposed to the International Labor Organization’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Programme where she trained, assessed, certified and licensed, first as a SIYB Trainer and then as an SIYB Master Trainer. Through the SIYB Training, She understood how enterprise development services are provided and is a key factor in the impact the services will have on the entrepreneur and their enterprises.Mamodishe is passionate about using her skills in enterprise development to contribute to the development of her country- South Africa. She has fashioned CGI to become a Centre of excellence in delivering enterprise development solutions that enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and thrive in entrepreneurship.

 

She is particularly passionate about women entrepreneurs who are overrepresented in the micro and small business sector. They strive to run businesses to provide for their families but they often face barriers beyond their male counterparts. Her passion for women entrepreneurs is rooted in her late mother's relentless efforts to improve their family's life through micro-entrepreneurship.Mamodishe’s extensive experience in development gained from working with international organizations such as the UN, EU USAID, and the Government of South Africa,

 

Mamodishe brings invaluable expertise to her mission. Mamodishe believes in collaboration. She has established partnerships with organizations and professional associates both locally and internationally.Mamodishe is an alumna of the University of South Africa (UNISA) where she graduated with a degree in Public Administration. Before her undergraduate qualification, she obtained a National Diploma in Administration from the Tshwane University of Technology (former Technikon Northern Transvaal). She also has Certificates in Public-Private Partnerships; Policy Development and Management and International Humanitarian Law. She is certified as an SIYB Master Trainer which gives her an International Labor Organization’s license to offer business development services to SIYB service providers (institutions and individual SIYB trainers) at the international level.