With the results of Census 2011 finally in, the demographics of the nation are clear. The nation is now home to more people than at any other point in its history – over 7 million have been added since 2001 – with a growing number of them falling into the younger age bracket. Almost one in three South Africans is aged between one and four years old (Times, 2012). This being the case, demands for products and services pertaining to children can expect to sky rocket for the foreseeable future, and aspiring franchisees should take note of this trend. A children’s franchise could attract big business.
There are numerous franchises in South Africa catering to the specific requirements of children, many of them operating within the realm of education. Recent sobering statistics have laid bare the immense problems within South Africa’s education system. Despite spending 17% of its GDP on education (ToxiNews, 2012), return on investment is woeful; only 70% of students matriculate, and many feel that even this majority reflects poorly, implying the ease of passing does not truly test the students (Mail & Guardian, 2012). Furthermore, 80% of state-run schools lack a library (Room to Read, 2012), and literacy rates amongst the population at large remain shockingly low. As such, future skill shortages in critical industries are widely forecast to plague the country’s growth and development efforts into the future.
But as can so often happen, the failure of the government has presented an opportunity for the private sector to intervene, and in South Africa, franchises with a view to education have made inroads in an attempt to substantiate the questionable schooling system.
One such franchise is Kumon Education a company that has its roots in Johannesburg in the early nineties. From there it spread to other cities and now has a thriving presence across South Africa, specialising in providing educational support. It now facilitates this service through over 280 franchises situated across southern Africa, catering for thousands of children despite the economic downturn. It now counts itself amongst the world’s largest private supplementary education providers, with its stated aims being to improve the English and Maths skills of students, imbuing them with a firm foundation on which to base further studies and eventually a career.
Learning throughout life is critical to provide young people with the knowledge they need
to survive in difficult economic times. This is the approach that has been taken by iPlay iLearn which provides educational products and games to cater for kids ranging from toddlers to teens, stimulating learning throughout their formative years. Its unique range focusses on the needs of children throughout different stages of their development, providing an easy-to-follow and fun supplement to more formalised learning within a classroom environment.
While learning in and of itself is undoubtedly important, of equal significance is the motivation of young people to achieve their potential, and it is this essential service that is fulfilled by EQual Zeal a franchise which provides motivational mentoring to children to help them attain their full potentiation. Mentoring as a concept has largely been shed from the conventional education system, with the student – teacher ratio to severe to allow for one-on-one coaching of this kind. In this way, EQual Zeal can provide children with the kind of support denied to them at school and engender a massive positive influence in their lives.
Not all of South African children’s franchises are educational in focus. Fun is also fundamental to any child’s well-being, and so for a parent, providing their kid with a good time at a minimum expense is of paramount importance. Monkey Magic is an example of a franchise that fills this niche, its eleven outlets throwing birthday parties across South Africa since debuting four years ago. Any fun-loving franchisee with a good rapport with children could do worse then select this as their franchise of choice.
From the fundamentals of life to the fun that makes it worth living, children’s franchises continue to fulfil important functions in the lives of youngsters across South Africa. If you’re seeking to start a business of your own and have a love of children, a children’s franchise could prove a truly satisfying selection, both from a financial and personal perspective.