Tag: Jeremy Lang

Leaked documents detailing the forthcoming launch of ‘Project Fela’ – a new marketplace with its own membership programme owned by Amazon – has prompted much industry speculation and debate around the role that competition plays in sector development.

South Africa cannot afford to lose its mall and medium enterprises (SMEs), says financing expert. As local business relief initiatives such as the COVID-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme come to a close, many SMEs continue to struggle, with an unfortunate number of businesses’ liquidity eroded by the pandemic and various lockdowns - especially those that operate in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Running a business in South Africa is becoming increasingly tough, amid stagnant economic growth and ever-increasing operating costs, such as rent, labour costs, fuel and electricity.

Many small and medium enterprise (SME) owners grapple with the stress and strain of running a business. This was confirmed by the findings of the second quarter 2018 SME Confidence Index, which reveals that 76 percent of the SME owners surveyed say that the pressure of running their own business can sometimes be overwhelming and limit their potential.