The news around President Cyril Ramaphosa signing the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill into law has been widely welcomed. This development promises to streamline access to financial and non-financial assistance for small and medium businesses (SMBs) as well as offer smaller businesses better protection from unfair commercial practices.

The newly signed Act aims to reduce red tape and bureaucratic challenges for SMBs, levelling the playing field with larger organisations, including big businesses and public sector entities. This comes at a crucial time, with a break from load-shedding and expected interest rate cuts boosting business confidence. The Act is poised to foster a more inclusive economy, creating more opportunities for SMMEs and cooperatives, which in turn should enhance job creation and economic diversity.

Despite contributing 40% to South Africa’s GDP and providing 87% of employment opportunities, SMBs have historically been underrepresented in government policymaking. It’s encouraging to see a renewed focus on supporting and growing this sector through interventions such as the new Act.

Providing critical support for SMBs

By providing a more supportive and predictable business environment, the Act aims to encourage innovation and growth within the SMB sector. This could lead to increased competitiveness, job creation, and overall economic development. However, the speed and quality of the implementation of the Act’s provisions will determine how effective it is in meeting its objectives.

One of the key components of the Act is the merger of the Cooperative Banks Development Agency (CBDA), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) to create the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA). This consolidation will provide SMBs with a single point of entry to seek financing and other assistance. Such a move is particularly important given that 42% of SMBs cite financial pressures and cash flow issues as significant challenges, according to Sage’s recent SBBO report. Combining these agencies will be a complex task that could take months or even years and is essential to ensure that the services the existing agencies provide are not disrupted during the transition.

The report additionally states that 51% of SMBs globally stated rising operational costs, highlighting the importance of reducing red tape and improving access to affordable financing. In South Africa, where economic disparities are pronounced, the ability of SEDFA to deliver streamlined support will be vital to ensuring that SMBs can overcome these barriers and thrive.

Addressing unfair practices

SMBs are likely to support the establishment of a Small Business Ombudsman under the Act, as it aims to ensure fair treatment by larger businesses and government entities. The Ombud would address common challenges such as late payments and unfair contract terms—issues that smaller businesses often lack the resources to contest in court. By providing a dedicated channel for dispute resolution, the Ombud could help level the playing field.

The Act also empowers the Small Business Minister to declare certain practices as unfair, but careful implementation will be essential to protect SMBs without stifling healthy market competition.

Bridging the digital divide

Digital transformation is no longer optional for SMBs. Globally, 70% of SMBs expect revenue growth, and 67% plan workforce expansions in the next six months, driven largely by investments in digital tools and AI. If South African SMBs are to follow this trajectory, they need both the resources and the skills to embrace digitalisation.

As SMBs increasingly adopt digital tools to drive efficiency and growth, the Act must also address the skills gaps that prevent many businesses from fully leveraging technology. While 85% of SMBs globally view technology as central to achieving their business goals, South Africa lags behind, with only 78% of local SMBs recognising digital technology as important.

This digital lag is compounded by a lack of skilled talent. Globally, 33% of SMBs call for enhanced training opportunities to address digital skills shortages. South African SMBs would benefit greatly from targeted skills development programmes to help them unlock the full potential of digital transformation. By investing in training initiatives, the government can ensure that SMBs are equipped to compete in an increasingly digital economy.

Levelling the playing field

It is also essential for the Government to accelerate the structural reforms of Operation Vulindlela in lockstep with the implementation of the Act to unlock the full potential of the SMB sector. As important as the new Act is, challenges such as logistics bottlenecks and poor local government performance continue to constrain the growth of SMBs.

South African SMBs have shown remarkable resilience, with 78% expressing confidence in their future success despite the challenges they face. However, this optimism must be matched with tangible support to ensure their sustainability.

Creating a more enabling environment for SMBs in South Africa will help ensure their sustainability, which in turn can contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth. By addressing financial constraints, bridging digital skills gaps, and ensuring fair treatment through the Ombud Service, the new Act has the potential to transform the SMB landscape in South Africa.

The National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill represents a major step forward in empowering South African SMBs. With effective implementation, it could address many of the challenges facing this vital sector. By fostering a more inclusive and supportive business environment, the Act can help unlock the full potential of SMBs, driving economic growth, job creation, and innovation across the country.

 MyProperty Home Loans has released its latest home loan statistics, comparing March 2024 to March 2025, revealing significant shifts in the South African property market. Notably, first-time buyers now constitute 72.71% of the market, up from 71.34% the previous year, indicating a growing confidence among new entrants.

While the March National Budget created many pain points for South African households, it also gave homebuyers the ‘gift’ of increasing the transfer duty exemption threshold. With the reduced interest rate and no transfer duty below R1.2 million, the market is more favourable for first-time buyers compared to a year ago,

The average purchase price for first-time buyers increased from R1,188,663 to R1,215,522, while the average approved bond rose from R1,029,192 to R1,567,694. Despite these increases, the average deposit for all buyers saw a substantial rise from R159,471 to R352,173.

These trends align with broader market observations. The average age of first-time buyers has increased to 39, reflecting a shift towards older individuals entering the market.

The prime lending rate decreased from 11.75% to 11%, offering some relief to borrowers. Furthermore, own bank bond acceptance rates improved slightly from 52.24% to 52.61%, indicating a more favourable lending environment.

“The data reflects a resilient property market with first-time buyers leading the charge,” said Michael-Anne Abrahams of MyProperty Home Loans. “With improved lending conditions and increased consumer confidence, now is an opportune time for prospective homeowners to enter the market.”

For more information or to start your home loan journey, visit myproperty.co.za/home-loans.

Manufacturing and distribution are among the most data-intensive industries globally. Data is collected at every stage of the manufacturing and distribution life cycle, from raw material procurement to production, inventory management, and delivery. It’s no surprise then, that digital transformation has become essential for manufacturers and distributors who hope to maintain competitiveness in a global market by harnessing the knowledge of their data streams.

Digitised manufacturing and distribution facilities use interconnected devices, machinery and production systems to continuously collect and share data, hence the popular reference to ‘Smart Factories’. One of the key drivers of digital transformation for manufacturers and distributors is the ability to tap into these data points throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain. This data helps with everything from forecasting demand to managing inventory levels, predictive maintenance, improving overall efficiency, and ensuring timely deliveries. Smart factories represent the next evolution in manufacturing, leveraging advanced technologies to create highly efficient, adaptable, and data-driven production environments.

Companies that fail to prioritise expenditure on digital transformation will quickly find themselves unable to compete in today’s marketplace. Without the right platforms and solutions in place, these manufacturers lack the ability to enhance operational efficiency, embrace data-led decision making and boost overall competitiveness.

Creating a holistic view across the business

The digital age of AI demands agility, efficiency and innovation, yet many businesses find that their existing or legacy systems cannot support their long-term growth aspirations. Legacy systems that fail to support growth strategies impact the company’s operations and development, which inevitably impacts the business of tomorrow.

Outdated legacy systems also lead to fragmented data, manual workarounds, and inefficient task management, further impacting the organisation’s operational efficiency and development. Effective data integration across departments is crucial for streamlining overall efficiency and reducing operational losses. Manufacturers need a holistic view of business activity, as well as upstream and downstream activity.

A recent study investigating the Global Complex Manufacturing Outlook highlighted how a successful Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation enables organisations to position their companies for sustainable growth by allocating resources effectively across various functions and departments. This is achieved by using data-led decision making, along with insights generated from detailed data analysis.

An investment into future success

For any company considering an ERP implementation, the considerations are not only the direct financial investment, but also how to effectively manage the implementation process to derive maximum value from the investment. Therefore, it makes sense to carefully consider any implementation before embarking on a digital transformation journey.

The report found that companies should use a diagnostics checklist to evaluate whether an ERP solution can unlock value within the organisation, including questions such as ‘Have you noticed significant discrepancies in data reporting from different departments?’ and ‘Are you facing high maintenance costs with your current system due to manual inputs?’ Questions such as these can help executives quickly assess needs and align departments before the ERP project begins.

On average, the companies analysed in the study allocated approximately 3% of their operating budget to ERP implementation costs. The study revealed, however, that nearly half of the respondents are planning to double their technology spending over the next five years, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing their technological capabilities. This shift underscores the growing recognition of technology as a critical driver of efficiency and competitiveness in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.

There are several best practices that are essential for manufacturers and distributors to adopt for a successful software implementation. Clearly defining the project scope and aligning it with business processes will help the project avoid budget overruns and scope creep. Another key element is stakeholder engagement, as the research demonstrates that companies whose executives and task team are actively involved will ensure that the project receives the necessary support. Partnering with an experienced vendor will facilitate a smooth transition and maximise the project’s overall value, and of course, robust testing ensures that the chosen software is fit for purpose and meets the organisation’s needs.

Modern solutions address critical data needs

By accelerating their smart factory transformation, manufacturers can predict and prevent costly unplanned maintenance, forecast trends with precision, respond quickly to customer demands and market fluctuations, and streamline and optimise their supply chain operations. The integration of ERP software empowers manufacturers to harness the full potential of smart factories with the use of smart technologies such as Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine learning, IoT and predictive analytics.

Business as usual is definitely not the order of the day. Prioritising digital transformation spending, particularly on ERP systems, is essential for manufacturers and distributors to stay competitive in a shifting marketplace. While this is likely to be a significant investment for any business, asking the right questions upfront and following implementation best practices can help businesses not only enhance their operational effectiveness, but improve decision-making across verticals and drive sustainable growth.

The adoption of smart factory technologies is expected to grow, driven by advancements in AI, IoT, and robotics. As the industry continues to evolve, those who invest wisely in digital transformation will be best positioned to lead and succeed.

SYSPRO, a leading global provider of digital manufacturing solutions, today announced the appointment of Leanne Taylor as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). This strategic leadership addition underscores SYSPRO’s commitment to driving revenue growth, enhancing customer success, and expanding its global market footprint.

Taylor is a seasoned executive with extensive experience scaling global businesses, executing high-impact deals, and leading digital transformation initiatives. She most recently served as Senior Vice President of Group Commercial Strategy at Cloud Software Group, where she oversaw a multi-billion-dollar business and spearheaded strategic alignment across multiple divisions. Prior to that, as Chief Operating Officer, she played a pivotal role in developing go-to-market strategies and large-scale business transformations to drive profitability and efficiency. Her leadership credentials include executive roles at Citrix and SAP, where she led high-performance teams and executed large-scale industry-specific technology initiatives.

“Leanne’s expertise in revenue acceleration, customer success, and partner ecosystems will be instrumental in helping us capitalize on new market opportunities and scale our digital manufacturing solutions,” said Jaco Maritz, CEO of SYSPRO. “Her leadership aligns perfectly with our growth ambitions, and we are confident she will drive long-term value for our customer and partner community.”

This strategic move follows SYSPRO’s acquisition by Advent International, a global private equity firm dedicated to accelerating the growth of high-potential technology companies. With Advent’s backing, SYSPRO has advanced its expansion strategy, bolstering its technology innovation capabilities and extending its reach into key markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom. This included the acquisition of longtime channel partner NexSys during the first quarter of Advent ownership.

“I am excited to join the talented team at SYSPRO at such a pivotal time in its growth journey,” said Leanne Taylor. “SYSPRO’s strong foundation in digital manufacturing, commitment to innovation, and customer-centric and partner-first approach creates significant opportunities for revenue expansion and deeper partnerships. I look forward to developing our talent, leading our global revenue strategy, and contributing to the company’s continued success.”

With Taylor at the helm of revenue strategy, SYSPRO is well-positioned to strengthen its market presence, drive global expansion, and continue leading the digital transformation of manufacturing.