Load-shedding is crippling businesses big and small, including an ice-cream start-up established by Thando Makhubu in Soweto. Picture: THAPELO MOREBUDI
“The impact of the energy crisis has catalysed a ripple effect across the SME sector, with many businesses facing severe financial losses related to a loss of revenue, supply chain disruptions and a drop in productivity,” said David Morobe, executive GM for impact investing at Business Partners, a specialist SME financier.
“It’s a red flag given the critical role of the private sector in supporting the growth of small businesses,” Morobe said. “Many SMEs rely on supplier agreements with the private sector and structure their business models around this demand.” Business Partners said these surprise improvements may be due to the perception of progress being made to reduce red tape and promote ease of business, including the establishment of the Red Tape team in the presidency.