SBI - The Big voice of Small Business

20/08/2026

Championing Local Excellence, for a Globally Competitive South Africa

09/08/2026

70 years later, the question is no longer whether women can build businesses. It is whether we are creating an economy that allows them to scale.

In 1956, more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings demanding to be seen, heard and recognised. The fight then was for a voice in a system that excluded them.

Today, that fight continues in a different register: not exclusion from the vote, but exclusion from capital, markets, networks and economic opportunity.

Only 5 of the Top 40 JSE-listed companies are led by women. But the boardroom is only one measure of economic power and for most South African women, it is not the most immediate one.

South Africa’s SMEs are where women are creating livelihoods, jobs and economic opportunity every day.

For 84 years, SBI has been part of building a stronger SME ecosystem connecting businesses, championing enterprise development and creating platforms for SMEs to access opportunities, markets and networks.

Our contribution is simple: to help move women-owned SMEs from survival to scale.

Because the women of 1956 did not march simply to be included. They marched to change the system.

Seventy years later, our responsibility is to ensure that women are not only seen and heard, but have the capital, markets, networks and influence to shape South Africa’s economy.

This Women’s Month, the question we should be asking is not only how many women are participating in the economy?

It is: Are we creating an economy in which women can grow, scale and lead?

06/08/2026

🎉Celebrating Leadership in Action🎉

The JBS Centre for Entrepreneurship is proud to congratulate Carol Keshy on her appointment as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the SBI - The Big voice of Small Business!

Carol's appointment reflects her exceptional leadership, passion for entrepreneurship and unwavering commitment to empowering South Africa's small business community. 🇿🇦

We are honoured to celebrate this milestone and are excited to see the positive impact she will make in this important leadership role.

Please join us in congratulating Carol and wishing her every success in this exciting new chapter! 🎊

04/08/2026

Help us identify the barriers holding small businesses back.

The SBI is assisting the Competition Commission of South Africa to identify regulations, licensing requirements and sector policies that may be making it harder for small businesses to start, operate and grow.

If you have experienced licensing delays, costly compliance requirements, municipal approval challenges, procurement barriers or unnecessary red tape, we need to hear from you.

Please complete our short survey and share it with other business owners in your network. The more experiences we gather, the stronger the evidence we can put forward to advocate for meaningful change.

🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XTZ25ZR

Deadline: 12 August 2026

Your experience can help us build a better environment for small businesses in South Africa.

30/07/2026

“SBI believes entrepreneurs deserve more than recognition. They deserve representation. They deserve practical solutions. They deserve an organisation that is prepared to convene difficult conversations, challenge unnecessary barriers to enterprise and work relentlessly to improve the environment in which they operate.”

Read more here: https://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/2026/07/30/sbi-announces-strengthened-leadership-and-renewed-commitment-to-south-africas-entrepreneurs/

07/07/2026

RSG Monitor: Protests against foreigners every Thursday from now on

Hear more here:

RSG Monitor: Protests against foreigners every Thursday from now on July 1, 2026: Protesters say they will continue the campaign against undocumented foreigners, and will protest every Thursday from now on. Many businesses are closing their doors for fear of riots during the protests. Who and what i...

30/06/2026

Has GNU been a curse or a blessing to SMEs in South Africa?

Read the full thought piece and join the conversation:
🔗 https://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/2026/06/29/press-release-has-gnu-been-a-curse-or-a-blessing-to-smes-in-south-africa/

Has GNU been a curse or a blessing to SMEs in South Africa? Embargo: noneJune 29 2026 In June 2024, an agreement was reached by nine parties to share power. This arrangement, known commonly as the Government of National Unity (GNU), came after the failure of parties to win outright majority in the 2...

18/06/2026

Unlock the potential of Astro-Tourism!

Join our next SBI Tourism Discussion Forum as we dive into how South Africa’s night skies and the 2030 Solar Eclipse can boost local tourism.

Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Guest Speaker: Professor Matie Hoffman

Learn how to create new tourism experiences, tap into niche markets, and benefit your local economy.

👉 RSVP: Email [email protected] to secure your spot.

06/05/2026

Directive must be enforced and ombud must become a reality because ‘90 days means you're stealing from someone, you're whittling down their ability to pay others’: Small Business Institute CEO John Dludlu. Listen to the Interview using the link below: https://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/2026/05/06/call-for-action-on-late-payments-by-the-state/ .

Call for action on late payments by the state In this insightful interview, John Dludlu unpacks the challenges facing SMEs, the impact of policy and regulation, and what needs to change to unlock inclusive economic growth. Directive must be enforced and ombud must become a reality because ‘90 days...