The case of small medium and micro enterprises has been a major concern for the new government of South Africa. The subject is given attention from the president down wards. There are different programmes such as the Black Economic Empowerment and the Small Business Programme which the previously disadvantaged people benefit from. The government has made tremendous changes in the legal frame work of SMMEs. There are different agencies which provide comprehensive business support services to South African small businesses. Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency which was established by the Department of Trade and Industry{DTI) to provide an efficient and effective promotional and support services to SMME sector, the National Manufacturing Advisory Sector,(Namac)Trust which was established to implement the small enterprise support programme which include: the Manufacturing Advisory Center (MAC), the Business Referral and Information Network(BRAIN),the Franchise and Information Network(FRAIN) and the Community Public Private Partnership(CPPP) with the aim of supporting the integration of marginalized communities into the main stream economy. On Saturday 11 2004,when the President of South Africa signed the National Small Business Amendment Act, Act No.29 of2004 which brought the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) into being. There are also a number of loan schemes like Khula Enterprise Finance to increase access to finance to SMMEs. All these show how this sector is the buss word in the country. In spite of all the efforts done from the government, non- Governmental organisations and the private sector, there is still a problem on the sustainability of SMMEs. The purpose of this study is therefore to determine if the background characteristics of individuals contribute to the failure of SMMEs. Respondents had to provide information about their family background, educational level, experience, training, locus of control and motivation. The study revealed that the background characteristics of individuals affect the sustainability of SMMEs. Seventy five percent of respondents agreed to using external sources of funding to start their business while 25% do not agree on using external source of funding. This shows that 75% of the respondents are grant based SMMEs. Thirteen Percent of the respondents have been running their business for less than 6 months, 18% for more than 6 months but less than I year, 22% for more than one year but less than 2 years, 15% for more than 2 years but less than 3 years, and 31 % for more than 3 years. This is an indication that more than 53% of the SMMEs in the population tested have existed for a period of less than two years. This indicates that the majority of grant- based SMMEs are not sustainable in the Mafikeng geographical area. The study recommended that success/failure is not only a matter of money, rather it is mainly dependent on the personality /characteristic of those individuals which include education (subject matter and management skills), work experience, age, commitment, motivation, and locus of control. A combined effort from government, non- government organisations and the private sector in preparing the person through training, coaching and mentoring can enhance the sustainability of SMMEs. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Food and Business Economics." Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-107).

D. Comm. / Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) form the majority of enterprises in the South African economy. The South African government has identified the SMME sector as one of the potential enablers to achieve its objectives of improving job creation opportunities, reducing poverty and creating a more equitable distribution of wealth.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In Namibia the small business sector is seen to play a very important role in the creation of jobs and the growth of the economy. At the same time small enterprises face a wide range of problems, which keep the failure rates of new ventures high and often prevent dynamic business growth. To address these challenges it is insufficient to have a national strategy for small businesses or to just rely on national government and other national bodies. This is particularly important in a country like Namibia which has a small population, stretched over a vast territory, with huge differences in the resources and development patterns of the various regions. Against that background this study focuses on a particular area of Namibia, viz the Erongo Region along the coastal belt. It is Namibia’s best developed region after the central Windhoek/Khomes area, with the two towns, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, the harbor of Walvis Bay, the Uranium mines and tourism being the foundation for business growth. After reviewing the spectrum of small business support bodies available in Namibia the study looked at a sample of 100 small enterprises in the Erongo area. They were asked about their business engagement, business prospects, main problems experienced and their awareness and utilization of support programmes. These needs profiles were then compared to the set of actual service suppliers found in the Erongo region. This showed that in practice very few of the problems are addressed, largely due to a lack of awareness, pro-activity and cooperation on both sides: local small enterprises and local support suppliers. The study ends with a range of proposals which should, if tackled on a partnership basis and in closer cooperation between the head offices in Windhoek and local bodies, lead to a steady improvement of the SME support process.

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / The high unemployment rate in South Africa encourages citizens to be job creators rather than job seekers. It is often said that small businesses hold the key to economic growth. The South African government endeavours to accelerate economic growth, job creation and to address inequalities, through enterprise development and support. It created and enacted laws that seek to create an enabling environment for the growth and support of predominantly black, women, youth and people with disabilities owning small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives. In ensuring support for SMMEs, the government of the Republic of South Africa promulgated the National Small Business Act (NSBA), Act 102 of 1996, which clearly outlines the support that national, provincial, local governments and private sector entities are compelled to develop and implement - programmes geared towards the support and promotion of SMMEs. Since 1996, these entities have developed programmes and projects that aim to implement support of SMMEs. Similarly, the government agencies that operate in the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) have developed programmes in support of SMMEs and cooperatives as per the abovementioned Act. Most business owners are constantly faced with challenges, especially women-owned SMMEs. The role of government agencies and the implementation of relevant programmes and strategies to empower women-owned SMMES are explored. Despite the above-mentioned government initiatives, women-owned SMMEs are still facing challenges such as lack of financial support, inadequate infrastructure, access to market and other related problems. These challenges hinder their business initiatives and economic growth in the CDM. This research contributes to the public discourse regarding empowerment of SMMEs, with particular reference to women-owned businesses, and also to contribute to policy development in the promotion and support of SMMEs. A conceptual framework is also reviewed in the study, regarding the importance of government agencies, SMMEs and women empowerment to the development of the South African economy.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers the Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive grant programme to qualifying manufacturers in South Africa. The status of the progress of this incentive grant programme is unknown. The DTI alluded to an impact study in the 2004 DTI Annual Report but no further reference or publication of results of the impact study has been made. The objectives of the study are to investigate the following three criteria of the SMEDP and to develop benchmarks and recommendations for future incentive grants offered by the DTI. • Rationale for implementation of SMEDP; • Exploration of SMEDP merits; and • Measure of SMEDP success. The study is a secondary analysis design with both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative component allows the researcher to reflect on the process by which the incentive programme under investigation came into being, whilst the quantitative component allows for comment on the result of the process as per the markers developed in the qualitative component of the design. There were 152 sample cases used in the study. The outcome measures are the output measures stated in the Medium Term Strategic Plan which are: • The number of jobs sustained. v i • The number of jobs created. • The number of Greenfield’s projects supported. • The fixed investment in Rand terms. • The improvement in employment levels. The DTI achieved certain of the stated objectives. The empirical data analysed confirms the achievement of these objectives. There is scope for further empirical investigation for the future development of incentive grants. The contribution of the SMEDP to economic growth and employment growth is evident and such government interventions should be continued. The recommendations from the study include further investigation into the following areas to improve the benefits provided by manufacturing incentive programmes: • Limit the incentive to a specified Rand value per job created; • Volume driven turnover growth not price driven turnover growth; • The continued inclusion of expansions in future programme; and • Specified sector programmes i.e. textile sector.

Thesis (MDF (Development Finance))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) growth in South Africa is beyond question. Government sees SMMEs as an important vehicle to boost the economy of the country because of the contribution they make to job creation. According to recent estimates by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), small businesses represent 98% of the total number of registered firms, employ 55% of the country’s labour force and account for 35% of GDP. Unfortunately South Africa has a low survival rate among start-up businesses compared to other developing economies. Some believe that the reason for the failure of government programmes to support small businesses is due to poor delivery. This is one of the key issues to be addressed by all business support players. The key to success is to pursue a private sector led approach where experienced business advisors and mentors can add value to the businesses of customers. The research focuses solely on support organisations within the Siyanda region. The findings support the notion that Seda, as government’s small business support vehicle, will have to utilise support organisations more in order to make a success of its mandate. The investigation has identified some recommendations that may lead to an improvement in the current environment. The first approach is to ensure that people who render small business support have business experience and understand small enterprises. Secondly, to ensure that sector programmes are focused on a particular objective and that the overall strategy remains integrated and focused. In order to achieve this, the private sector should participate and share the costs. In recommending measures to improve the promotion of small business support at a local level, it is important to focus on what works best and that is ultimately privatesector organisations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die behoefte aan groei van Klein, Mikro en Medium Ondernemings (SMMEs) in Suid-Afrika word nie debateer nie. Die regering sien SMMEs as ‘n belangrike medium om die land se ekonomie ‘n hupstoot te gee vanweë die bydrae wat hulle tot werkskeppping maak. Volgens onlangse skattings van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid, verteenwoordig kleinsake-ondernemings 98% van die totale aantal geregistreerde ondernemings en verskaf hulle werk aan 55% van die land se arbeidsmag, en dra hulle by tot 35% van die bruto binnelandse produk. Ongelukkig het Suid-Afrika ‘n lae oorlewingsyfer onder nuwe besighede in vergelyking met ander ontwikkelende ekonomieë. Sommige mense glo die rede vir die mislukkig van regeringsprogramme wat kleinsake-ondernemings ondersteun, is swak dienslewering. Hierdie is een van die sleutelkwessies wat aangespreek behoort te word deur alle sake-ondersteuningspartye. Die sleutel tot sukses is om ‘n privaatsektor-gedrewe aanslag te volg waar ervare sake-adviseurs en -mentors waarde kan toevoeg tot kliënte se besighede. Die ondersoek het sekere aanbevelings geidentifiseer wat mag lei tot ‘n verbetering van die huidige omstandighede. Die eerste stap is om te verseker dat mense wat kleinsake-ondersteuning bied wel sake-ondervinding het en die kleinsakebedryf verstaan. Tweedens, om te verseker dat die sektor se programme wel gefokus is op ‘n spesifieke doelwit en dat die oorkoepelende strategieë geïntegreerd en gefokus bly. Ten einde dit te bereik, moet die privaatsektor deelneem en die kostes deel. By die soeke na stappe om die bevordering van kleinsake op plaaslike vlak te verbeter, is dit belangrik om te kyk wat (elders) reeds geslaag het. Dit is alte dikwels stappe wat deur die privaatsektor onderneem word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Goverment of the Republic of Namibia soon after independence, recognised its cardinal national responsibility to change the orientation of the nation's economy from one of exporting raw materials and importing final-use products to in-country production of goods based on the country's resource endowment. One productive sector for which explicit and far-reaching guiding policies, strategies and programmes have been developed and instituted from the beginning is the promotion of highly competitive industries with special emphasis on SMEs as a major pathway to progressive and sustainable industrialisation and employment and the simultaneous development of entrepreneurial culture. In recognition of the critical role the SMEs can play in the socia-economic development and economic diversification of the country, the Government of Namibia through its Ministry of Trade and Industry has put in place policies and programmes, specifically for the development of SMEs. To this end, the Ministry of Trade and Industry realised that the lack of bankable business plans limited entrepreneurs' access to finance and this posed the biggest challenges to the growth of the SME sector in the country. This has been conceived as a daunting factor and stems from the reality that entrepreneurs cannot provide bankable business plans to back up their applications. Given the prevailing condition, the Government of Namibia initiated the MSME Feasibility Studies and Business Plan Support programme ~ specifically geared to assist the SME sector with bankable business plans in order to induce financial institutions to provide loans to entrepreneurs with viable project ideas and prospects for success. The objective of the study is to explore the extent to which this support programme has facilitated the access to finance by SMEs and the creation of sustainable businesses. The findings of the study have established that worldwide some of the developed and developing countries initiated and implemented similar govemmental programmes in the form of subsidies to the services rendered by third parties to SMEs in business-plan formulations and related advisory services. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kort na onafhanklikheid het die regering van Namibia besef dat die landsekonomie minder afhanklik moet word van grondstof-uitvoere en die invoer van vervaardigde goedere, met groter klem op die verwerking van plaaslik vervaardigde grondstowwe. In die verband is kleinsake as 'n belangrike ontwikkelingsinstrument beskou en 'n vername skepper van nuwe werksgeleenthede, wat juis in die uitvoer-georienteerde landbou- en mynbou-sektors aan die kwyn is. Om hierdie herorientasie van die ekonomie te bevorder het die Ministerie van Handel en Nywerheid verskeie programme ontwikkel, veral vir die bevordering van kleinsake. In die verband is die probleem van bankfinansiering as 'n besondere knelpunt beskou , met die gebrek aan omvattende sakeplanne vir finansierbare projekte gesien as kemprobleem. Met die oogmerk het die Ministerie die "SME Feasibility Studies and Business Plan Support programme" ontwikkel, ten einde finansiele instellings te motiveer om meer geredelik finansiering te verskaf. Hierdie studie ontleed die bestaande program, sy agtergrond, ontwikkeling en probleme asook die baie beperkte sukses wat tot sover bereik is. Vergelykings met programme in ander lande suggereer dat verreikende aanpassings nodig is om die program meer betekenisvol en suksesvol te maak

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main objective of this study is to analyse and evaluate the alignment between the strategies and operational aspects of small business promotion initiatives of regional government with those of the private sector. Small business development had been identified by the post-apartheid government as one of the keys to addressing a number of social problems - growth, employment and (re)distribution of wealth. Despite efforts and investment from both government and the private sector, this sector had never performed as expected and South Africa usually ranks relatively poorly in terms of innovation, according to the published rankings. To provide context, a literature review briefly explores the importance, success and inhibiting factors of small business development in South Africa. From the data, it is : clear that the success of the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector in South Africa, as in most developing countries, is key to the achievement of socioeconomic goals which are linked directly to the structure and success of the larger economy. The factors inhibiting a more successful development of the SMME sector relate to (a) the influence of socia-political goals on the economic policies, (b) the invisibility of SMME track records because of the development of the informal sector and (c) lacking skills, both among entrepreneurs and regional/local government and agencies. A brief review of the SMME strategies and implementation by national and regional government highlights the major problem areas, being regional interpretation and implementation of what seems to be generally accepted as a fairly well-developed national SMME strategy. This appears to be due mostly to lacking co-ordination and capacity (skills and knowledge) at the regional and local levels of government. The description of the South African Breweries' KickStart programme as an example of private sector SMME development efforts highlights a few aspects that seem to ensure a greater degree of tangible, directly attributable success of SMMEs developing into a sustainable business, albeit in smaller numbers. These aspects relate to a mixture of training and mentoring that assists the entrepreneurs in becoming self-sufficient prior to the awarding of any substantial financial assistance. At a higher level, it is evident that the private sector develops a clear, simple national strategy and ensures regional execution thereof through clear guidelines and the alignment and linking thereof to local group and individual goals and performance measurement. The latter is perhaps the most evident contrast between the government and the private sector in this regard, as it had not been found discussed in relation to how government executes strategy, in any of the literature reviewed. The writer agrees with the general opinion of the private sector from the literature reviewed, in that government should playa less directly involved and interventionist role and recommended that it should focus on facilitation of the process through creating the· right environment. Typically this will take place through reviewing of legislation and administrative requirements that increases the cost and complexity of doing business. Some proposals include the consolidation of SMME development . . efforts under a single Public Private Partnership (PPP); to ensure alignment and to . draw on the energy, focus and skills of the private sector. The study concludes that close co-operation between the public and private sectors is vital for the improvement of SMME development and that government has a number of options to consider for stimulating a greater private sector effort, while at : the same time becoming less interventionist. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoelwit van die studie is om te analiseer en evalueer op watter wyse die strategiee en bedryfsaspekte van die kleinsakeontwikkelingsinisiatiewe van plaaslike regering en die van die privaatsektor by mekaar inskakel. Kleinsakeontwikkeling is reeds in 1994 deur die nuwe regering as een van die sleutels tot die verwesenliking van verskeie sosio-ekonomiese doelwitte geidentifiseer. Die vernaamste hiervan is groei, indiensneming en die (her)verdeling van inkomste. Ten spyte van die insette en finansiele belegging van sowel die regering as die privaatsektor, het hierdie sektor nooit na verwagting gepresteer nie en Suid-Afrika Ie gewoonlik relatief laag op die gepubliseerde ranglyste wat innovasie betref. As agtergrond tot die studie, ondersoek die literatuurstudie kortliks die belangrikheid, sukses en beperkende faktore van kleinsakeontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika. Die data toon duidelik dat die sukses van hierdie sektor, soos in die meeste ontwikkelende lande, 'n sleutelfaktor is in die verwesenliking van sosio-ekonomiese doelwitte, wat weer direk verbind is met die struktuur en sukses van die ekonomie in sy geheel. Die faktore wat 'n meer suksesvolle ontwikkeling van die kleinsakesektor verhoed, is verwant aan (a) die uitwerking wat sosio-politieke doelwitte op ekonomiese beleid het; (b) die feit dat die prestasies van die sektor as gevolg van die ontwikkeling van die informele sektor nie sigbaar is nie; en (c) 'n gebrek aan vaardighede onder entrepreneurs sowel as plaaslike/streeksregering en -agentskappe. 'n Analise van die nasionale en plaaslike regering se kleinsakeontwikkelingstrategiee, -struktuur en -implementering wys die grootste probleemareas uit, naamlik plaaslike regering se interpretasie en implementering van wat op die oog af as 'n redelik goed ontwikkelde nasionale strategie beskou word. Hierdie gaping blyk te wyte te wees aan 'n gebrek aan koordinering en kapasiteit (vaardighede en kennis) op plaaslike regeringsvlak. Die beskrywing van die "KickStart"-program van die SAB, as voorbeeld van privaatsektorinisiatiewe, wys 'n paar faktore uit wat oenskynlik lei tot 'n groter mate van tasbare en direk verwante sukses en onderhoubare groei in klein ondernemings, alhoewel in kleiner getalle. Hierdie faktore hou verband met die vermenging van opleiding en mentorskap wat die entrepreneurs help om selfonderhoudend te wees voordat enige wesenlike finansiele bystand verleen word. Op 'n hoer vlak is dit duidelik dat die privaatsektor tipies 'n duidelike, eenvoudige nasionale strategie ontwikkel en die uitvoering daarvan verseker deur duidelike riglyne en deur dit met plaaslike groeps- en individuele doelwitte en prestasiemeting te verbind. Laasgenoemde is waarskynlik die mees wesenlike kontras tussen die regering en die privaatsektor, aangesien nie enige van die Iitteratuur verwys het na die wyse waarop die regering strategie implementeer nie. Die skrywer stem saam met die algemene opinie van die privaatsektor op grond van die literatuurstudie, naamlik dat die regering 'n minder direkte rol, in kleinsakeontwikkeling behoort te speel, en beveel aan dat die regering op die fasilitering van die proses behoort te fokus deur die skepping van 'n tegemoetkomende besigheidsomgewing, hoofsaaklik deur die hersiening van wetgewing en administratiewe regulasies wat die kompleksiteit en koste van besigheid beinvloed. Van die aanbevelings sluit in die konsolidering van kleinsakeontwikkeling in 'n enkele vennootskap tussen die publieke en privaatsektore, om te verseker dat daar 'n beter gesamentlike poging sal wees en om die energie, fokus en kennis van die privaatsektor beter te benut. Die slotsom is dat samewerking tussen die publieke en privaalsektore krities is vir die suksesvolle ontwikkeling van die kleinsakesektor en dat die regering 'n paar opsies tot sy beskikking het om 'n groter mate van betrokkenheid deur die privaatsektor te stimuleer, terwyl die regering self minder direk betrokke kan wees.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The ability of the South African Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme to promote economic growth and employment. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers the Small Medium Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP) incentive grant programme to qualifying manufacturers in South Africa. The status of the progress of this incentive grant programme is unknown. The DTI alluded to an impact study in the 2004 DTI Annual Report but no further reference or publication of results of the impact study has been made. The objectives of the study are to investigate the following three criteria of the SMEDP and to develop benchmarks and recommendations for future incentive grants offered by the DTI. • Rationale for implementation of SMEDP; • Exploration of SMEDP merits; and • Measure of SMEDP success. The study is a secondary analysis design with both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative component allows the researcher to reflect on the process by which the incentive programme under investigation came into being, whilst the quantitative component allows for comment on the result of the process as per the markers developed in the qualitative component of the design. There were 152 sample cases used in the study. The outcome measures are the output measures stated in the Medium Term Strategic Plan which are: • The number of jobs sustained. v i • The number of jobs created. • The number of Greenfield’s projects supported. • The fixed investment in Rand terms. • The improvement in employment levels. The DTI achieved certain of the stated objectives. The empirical data analysed confirms the achievement of these objectives. There is scope for further empirical investigation for the future development of incentive grants. The contribution of the SMEDP to economic growth and employment growth is evident and such government interventions should be continued. The recommendations from the study include further investigation into the following areas to improve the benefits provided by manufacturing incentive programmes: • Limit the incentive to a specified Rand value per job created; • Volume driven turnover growth not price driven turnover growth; • The continued inclusion of expansions in future programme; and • Specified sector programmes i.e. textile sector.