Meet our featured Absa Small Business Friday business of the week – The National Mentorship Movement.
In the fast-paced world of business, the journey to success is often shaped by the wisdom and guidance of others. This is the foundation on which Dave Wilson, co-founder of The National Mentorship Movement (NMM), has built his inspiring career post-corporate life. Wilson’s NGO is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through mentorship—“the Power of Two”—which connects experienced professionals with rising business owners, helping them reach their full potential.
The birth of The National Mentorship Movement
After a long and successful career as a partner at Deloitte, Dave felt a calling to do more for society. “Towards the end of my career, I wanted to make a difference,” he recalls. This led to the founding of The National Mentorship Movement in 2017, after he and his co-founder realised how volunteer mentorship could make a significant impact in South Africa.
The NGO’s mission is clear: to mobilise volunteer mentors and partner with organizations to deliver high-quality mentorship programmes. “We have designed and implemented almost 40 individual programmes for prominent organisations, facilitating mentorship for over 2,400 people,” Wilson shares. This diversity of programmes includes traditional one-on-one mentorship, as well as group and peer models, all customized to meet various needs.
A seasoned leader’s journey into entrepreneurship
Dave’s background is rooted in over three decades of consulting, but transitioning from corporate to the NGO space presented its own set of challenges. “I was a consultant for 33 years, and although I started new ventures at Deloitte, I wasn’t prepared for how competitive the NGO world can be,” he admits.
As an entrepreneur, he found himself responsible for everything – tasks he previously delegated, such as invoicing and collections, now fell directly on his shoulders. Yet, despite these challenges, Dave found immense personal satisfaction.
“I’ve become a much better project manager and director, and the work I do now holds deep meaning.”
Overcoming challenges and building a dream team
One of the most significant challenges Dave faced was establishing NMM’s niche in the market. It took trial and error, collaboration, and constant adaptation to position the organisation as a leader in the mentorship space. “We’ve worked hard to create a space where we are the only ones who do what we do – and do it well.”
Another source of pride for Dave is the development of his team. “Most of our staff were inexperienced when they joined, but they’ve grown tremendously, taking on leadership roles and representing the organization with pride.”
The magic of mentorship: Success stories
Next year marks a decade since the founding workshop that led to the creation of NMM, and the organisation has achieved tremendous success. With over 1,400 registered volunteer mentors and a 95% recommendation rate from programme participants, Dave is justifiably proud of the movement’s impact. However, it’s the individual stories that inspire him the most.
From a young woman in the Eastern Cape who launched a successful T-shirt printing business, to a restaurant owner in Khayelitsha who steered his business through the pandemic, these stories of transformation highlight the power of mentorship. “None of this would have been possible without the guidance and support of mentors,” Dave says.
Supporting small business: The key to South Africa’s prosperity
Wilson is a firm believer in the role of small businesses in driving economic growth. “Big business and government alone won’t create the jobs South Africa needs,” he explains. “Our focus at NMM is deliberately positioned to support youth and entrepreneurs—because small businesses are the key to a prosperous future for us all.”
The National Mentorship Movement demonstrates how the right guidance can turn dreams into reality. By connecting mentors with those who need their expertise, Dave and his team are shaping a better, more empowered future for South Africa’s entrepreneurs.