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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/2199 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Mpe, Ramatsobane Innocent |
| Contributors | Milondzo, K. S. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 111 leaves |
| Relation |
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