Stakeholder organisations representing informal traders, township enterprises, disability-owned businesses, and cooperatives

Video The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development met to receive submissions from stakeholder organisations representing informal traders, township enterprises, disability-owned businesses, and cooperatives. The main agenda was to identify policy and implementation challenges in the sector, and to determine issues requiring further engagement with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). The Committee heard presentations from the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA), African Disability Investments (ADI), the Township Economic Commission of South Africa (TECSA), the National Apex Cooperative Coordinating Committee (NCACC) and the South African National Apex Cooperative (SANACO). NITASA called for dedicated informal economy legislation, citing weak legal recognition, inconsistent municipal by-laws, limited access to trading spaces and inadequate infrastructure. ADI highlighted systemic exclusion of disability-owned enterprises from finance and markets due to collateral requirements, inaccessible systems, compliance burdens and limited representation in decision-making structures. TECSA raised concerns about township and rural enterprises being excluded from funding due to complex application requirements, lack of feedback on unsuccessful applications, delayed disbursements and alleged interference in funding allocation. It also raised broader concerns about access to credit and procurement opportunities. NCACC explained its mandate as a coordinating structure established to facilitate the creation of a single national apex cooperative body through consultation among cooperative organisations. SANACO outlined its role as a registered apex cooperative supporting sector coordination, compliance assistance, skills development and access to markets and finance, while signalling willingness to cooperate with other structures. Members raised concern that the challenges presented reflected persistent weaknesses in DSBD support systems, particularly relating to funding access, implementation delays and inadequate institutional coordination. Strong concern was expressed over ongoing disputes between apex cooperative organisations, with Members emphasising that Parliament should not adjudicate legitimacy disputes but should instead focus on strengthening the sector and encouraging resolution through consultation. Members also supported calls for informal economy reform, improved municipal coordination and simplified trading regulations. Further concerns were raised regarding the exclusion of persons with disabilities from economic programmes, prompting calls for improved accessibility, structured databases of disability-owned enterprises and clearer reporting on funding approval rates. Members also questioned delays in cooperative funding, uncertainty around agreements involving SANACO and DSBD, and limited transparency on procurement outcomes, job creation and inclusion of women and youth. Stakeholders responded by defending their mandates and clarifying positions. SANACO reaffirmed its national footprint and cooperative support role. NCACC clarified that it was not a registered apex cooperative but a Ministerially appointed coordinating mechanism, while inviting broader sector participation in consultations. NITASA and ADI reiterated concerns about municipal responsiveness, systemic exclusion and the need for policy reform, while TECSA called for structured engagement and improved recognition of township enterprises. The Committee resolved that the issues raised required formal responses from DSBD and the Minister, including clarification on the establishment and mandate of NCACC. It further agreed that the Department should be invited to present implementation plans addressing the concerns raised. The Chairperson concluded by thanking stakeholders, urging cooperation among apex cooperative structures, and noting that the Committee would determine the way forward following engagement with the Minister .