Developing Smmes in Peripheral Spaces: The Experience of Free State Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Policy and programme interventions for assisting the development of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMME) are shifting away from state-led delivery of support services to locally based and driven initiatives. Nevertheless, South Africa has retained a commitment to the paradigm of state-led delivery. This article explores the challenges facing SMME development in the country's peripheral development spaces using the example of the Free State. The results are presented of a survey conducted with 147 SMMEs in Mangaung and Thabong concerning the constraints and support needs of emerging entrepreneurs. Among key issues are access to finance, business advice/training, assistance with market development and infrastructure.