Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

SA's Small Businesses on the Brink – Over Half May Shut Down Within a Year

Loading player...
South Africa’s small businesses are under serious pressure, and many might not make it. A new survey shows that more than half (55.3%) of small and medium-sized businesses say they can only survive for one more year - or less - under current rising cost conditions, unless they get outside support. The Small Business Growth Index, backed by Absa, SACCI and UNISA, paints a worrying picture, with a third of the 1,600 businesses surveyed already facing "critical risk." Inflation may seem low on paper, but for many business owners, the costs are stacking up fast. Phemelo speaks to Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Jane Sithole, about what’s being done to help small businesses especially those in the informal sector.
12 Aug 2025 5PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Music Feature: celebrating South Africa’s Afro-soul divas - Part 2

This week’s music feature with musicologist Sheldon Rocha Leal shines a spotlight on South Africa’s Afro-soul divas, exploring the sound and influence of artists such as Judith Sephuma, Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa Mazwai. The segment revisits standout tracks including A Cry, A Smile, A Dance, Masibambaneni and Emini, among others,…
24 Apr 6AM 8 min

Legal Matters: bail blow, RAF claims and missing millions

In this week’s Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana breaks down a string of headline-grabbing cases - from why Magistrate Thandi Theledi denied Fannie Nkosi bail, to using couriers to submit RAF claims, and the dismissal of a cash-in-transit employee linked to a missing R1.3 million.
22 Apr 4PM 37 min

Jagersfontein disaster case delayed

The long-running court battle over the deadly Jagersfontein dam collapse has been pushed back to August in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein. Eight accused - both individuals and companies face serious charges including murder and damage to property following the 2022 tragedy that left widespread destruction in its…
22 Apr 4PM 11 min

Constitutional Court rules Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directive

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the South African Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directives, saying the watchdog must turn to the courts to enforce its recommendations. The judgment stems from a dispute over restricted access to borehole water on a farm, where an SAHRC order was ignored. The…
22 Apr 4PM 18 min
All episodes