Stephan van der Merwe, Chenge Rabonda
Abstract
The South African government acknowledges SMEs as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. However, SMEs in Gauteng cannot sustain themselves in the current environment due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The economy has experienced a downturn, affecting the population’s living standards. Poverty, inequality, and unemployment are all rising, a trend made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic effects. The study aims to explore the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on SMEs in Gauteng, South Africa. The four secondary objectives contribute to the achievement of the fundamental objectives.
The literature review provided the necessary context for conducting the empirical investigation on the influence of Covid-19 on SMEs. The study employs a qualitative research methodology with an exploratory research approach. Data from 10 participants were gathered through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Four themes were established through the qualitative interview, with eight sub-themes emerging from the main themes. The study concluded with a summary of key findings and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs in Gauteng. The study also suggested future studies that can build on this one.