The South African government is well aware that the small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector is the key to unlocking job creation and economic growth over the next decade and a half. The National Development Plan envisions 90% of new employment by 2030 will be generated by SMMEs.
Yet SMMEs often seem to be forgotten by policymakers as they try to juggle the demands of stakeholders such as big business and labour. In that context, it was refreshing to hear Finance Minister Gordhan use the 2016 Budget Speech to mention some small business-friendly steps the government plans to take in the next year or so.
Read moreBudget 2016: Encouraging for SMMEs, but more detail needed