The research study investigates some of the problems or challenges faced by SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area of the North West province. It strives to find out the extent to which these problems occur and the impact they have on these businesses. The research focuses on a number of major problems considered to be hindering the growth of SMMEs in this area, namely the lack of entrepreneurial management, financial skills, accessing finance and the role played by lack of financial and mentoring support on the success or failure of SMMEs. Some of the significant findings of this study are that the majority of the businesses fail because of lack of access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial skills and lack of mentoring support from the government. The government and banks should make it easier for SMMEs to access finance. The government should act as collateral for SMMEs to secure finance from commercial institutions. The government should involve the private sector in training SMMEs to acquire entrepreneurial skills. This will help SMMEs to run their businesses professionally and therefore become sustainable. This will impact positively to the economic growth, in terms of job creation to the entire province

The research study investigates some of the problems or challenges faced by SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area of the North West province. It strives to find out the extent to which these problems occur and the impact they have on these businesses. The research focuses on a number of major problems considered to be hindering the growth of SMMEs in this area, namely the lack of entrepreneurial management, financial skills, accessing finance and the role played by lack of financial and mentoring support on the success or failure of SMMEs. Some of the significant findings of this study are that the majority of the businesses fail because of lack of access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial skills and lack of mentoring support from the government. The government and banks should make it easer for SMMEs to access finance. The government should act as collateral for SMMEs to secure finance from commercial institutions. The government should involve the private sector in training SMMEs to acquire entrepreneurial skills. This will help SMMEs to run their businesses professionally and therefore become sustainable. This will impact positively to the economic growth, in terms of job creation to the entire province. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006

The choice of the geographical location of the premises for the business is of extreme importance for all kinds of enterprises, although for some it may be more important than for others. Some of the most important location factors are : social environment, climate, existing business environment, the attitude, regulations and tariffs of local authorities. The main purpose of this research is to map, and create a document for the small businesses (formal and informal businesses) in northwest greater Mafikeng. In pursuit of objective there will be at least, new knowledge and understanding of a specific geographic phenomenon (formal and informal businesses). The study is subdivided into seven major chapters. Chapter one includes the small-scale business sector in the South African context, statement problems, and objectives of the study and research hypotheses. The literature review (chapter two) covers a number of subtopics related to both the topic and objectives, to name few: an overview of small businesses, location, and size and diversity of small business, important and laws governing small business, education and training for small business. Methods of study and the research area (chapter three) cover the approaches and techniques used in this study. The research area includes the background information of the northwest greater Mafikeng. Maps analysis : spatial distribution of small businesses (chapter four) covers the analysis of spatial distribution of small businesses (non tax registered and registered) in northwest greater Mafikeng. Consumer perception (chapter five) covers the discussion report of the questionnaires from the sampled residents of northwest greater Mafikeng. Traders surveys (chapter six) follows with the discussion report of the interviewed conducted in the small businesspeople (non tax registered and registered) in northwest greater Mafikeng. Summary, conclusion and recommendations, (chapter seven) includes the main summary of the study, major conclusion and recommendations to government and local authorities. / M.A. (Geography) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2006