South Africa needs a more inclusive economic system, one where millions of excluded people can find jobs or space to start new firms. There is an important idea on the table that small and micro businesses could somehow be strengthened and linked more directly to the mainstream institutions of our economy, and then form the basis of a more inclusive system. A strong, dynamic small business sector should form an important part of a healthy, inclusive economy, and highly vulnerable firms and those stuck in the informal sector should have every opportunity to become part of the economic mainstream and fully realise whatever potential for growth they have. South Africa’s small and micro business sector faced many challenges before the pandemic and has been dealt a devastating blow by the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown restrictions. South Africa’s response to this requires a short, a medium and a long-term response.
