Small Enterprise Ombud Interviews

The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development conducted an in-person meeting to interview candidates for the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service. The position of Ombud arose in July 2024 when President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill which establishes the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service. It will adjudicate complaints in terms of the Act in a manner that is procedurally fair and it will be accountable to the Minister of Small Business Development and to Parliament. Eight candidates were interviewed during the ten-hour session of this meeting. Several of the interview candidates had previously held various high-profile public sector positions. A few were allegedly implicated in corruption and scandal about which some Committee members expressed concern about the negative impact this would have on the newly-established Office. The interviews focused on assessing the candidate’s understanding of the responsibilities and challenges associated with leading the Ombud Office for small enterprises. A key theme was the independence and functionality of the Office, particularly how it would handle disputes and navigate resistance from larger corporations. Candidates were questioned on the legal distinction between courts, tribunals and ombud offices as well as jurisdiction and enforcement mechanism concerns. Another major discussion point was systemic issues affecting small enterprises, including delayed payments, unfair trading practices, and limited access to finance, with an emphasis on how the Ombud Office could intervene effectively. Candidates were asked to propose their plan for the first 100 days in office, including advocacy and outreach to ensure awareness among small business owners, especially those in rural and disadvantaged communities. There was scrutiny of the candidate’s stance on state intervention in a developmental economy and if their view of the legislative framework governing the Ombud Office. Other questions included the candidate’s conflict resolution experience, approach to mediation, and vision for strengthening small business protections. At the end of the interview, the candidates were asked if they had questions for the Committee and were informed that the Committee will be making recommendations to the Minister who would make the final appointment. [See audio for candidate responses]