Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
smeslatest news & developments

Empowering South African SMEs: Brand SA’s London Investment Week Initiative

The platform allowed the small businesses to pitch for funding, connect with potential partners and showcase their work to a global audience

. Building a working relationship with a financial partner, one that supports informed decision-making, may prove to be one of the most practical advantages available in the year ahead.

Why customised SME funding solutions are key to your business success

By tailoring strategies to the specific needs of funders, SMEs can enhance their chances of securing the capital they need to thrive

Sanlam unlocks the power of women-led SMEs

‘We’re not filling a gap; we’re catalysing a new economic paradigm’

Glamping Expo 2024: A showcase of innovation, experience, and industry collaboration

The goal is to bring together the entire glamping value chain under one roof

Simone Cooper, Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank

Standard Bank’s R2 billion loan injection helps SA’s small businesses beat load-shedding and build solid futures

By helping SMEs finance their generators and solar power, they remain sustainable and productive

Huawei eKit Launch ribbon cutting ceremony: from left to right: Zhang Chaoyang, President of the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association, CEO of Bank of China Johannesburg Branch; Pan Qingjiang, Consul General of China in Johannesburg; Guo Ziping, Director of the Development and Reform Commission of the Shenzhen Municipality; and Gene Zhang, Managing Director for Huawei South Africa’s Enterprise Business.

Huawei launches eKit brand for SA SMEs

‘We believe that technologies that improve communications will also grow the economy’

Huawei continues to shape the future of connectivity at the JHB Commercial Summit

The summit aroused the usual excitement invoked by Huawei’s advanced technology and innovation

Empowering marginalised entrepreneurs: A vision for inclusive economic growth

It is essential for SMEs to access finance, mentorship and market opportunities

Makgosi Mabaso, Managing Executive: Home and Business Solutions at Telkom Business, speaking at the Blaze with Telkom Business Conference.

Technology is key to SME success, says Telkom Business

Choosing the right partner is vital for digital transformation and to enable small businesses to join the burgeoning e-commerce market

Sustainability essential for small businesses

Sustainable business practices have the potential to improve traditional and environmental profits

Why some South African businesses are succeeding despite the odds

‘Economy agnostic entrepreneurs’ are experiencing revenue growth even as the economy shrinks — but they need better access to venture capital and international markets

People in countries such as Brazil, India and China are two to three times more likely to be entrepreneurs than South Africans.

Red tape is strangling small businesses

People in countries such as Brazil, India and China are two to three times more likely to be entrepreneurs than South Africans.

The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas), has hit out at the ban. (File photo/MG)

South African SMEs should gear up for the new normal

A volatile business environment means that smart SMEs must position themselves to change as required.

Mid-term budget: Nothing for small and medium enterprises but they fight on anyway

SMEs are investing in their growth at a rate we’ve never seen before. That is resilience. It is also a sign of the pent-up growth just waiting to explode into our economy — if…

Crucial: The small business sector drives 30% of the economy and should get at least R100-billion in government support. Photo: Misha Jordaan

It’s time to walk the talk and support small businesses

The new finance minister now has an opportunity to support SMEs with more than words

As we attempt to recover from the economic and public-health effects of Covid-19, we must also address one of the great challenges facing South Africa, namely, the future of Eskom. (Rodger Bosch/AFP)

Calls to cap Eskom tariff increases

The national energy regulator has been accused of not following its mandate to protect consumers by allowing above inflation electricity price hikes

The personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement scandal has cast a shadow over small businesses in the textile sector that ventured into manufacturing masks to survive the adverse effects of the Covid-19 lockdown.

PPE scandal takes the bread out of SMEs’ mouths

The Special Investigating Unit is probing contracts worth more than R5-billion, over corruption allegations regarding the procurement of goods and services needed for the…

Newly appointed TymeBank chief executive Tauriq Keraan. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

New banks circle small businesses

TymeBank, Bank Zero and Capitec are all looking for ways to woo businesses – including SMMEs – on to their books

We know that township entrepreneurs and township-based entrepreneurs struggle to get finance from traditional sources such as banks and government programmes. (Lucas Ledwaba/Mukurukuru Media)

Four ways to give township entrepreneurs a much-needed boost

If they are going to be the job creators that policymakers hope for, a major overhaul of mindsets and infrastructure will be necessary

Big problem: Recycling efforts are not clearing up waste plastic. We must stop using it, says the author of the letter below. (Paul Botes/ M&G)

Letters to the editor: May 3 to 9

Our readers write in about plastic waste, SMEs, humanism, and restitution