Obstacles Faced by African Copreneurs in Black Townships of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to examine the experiences of copreneurs specifically those who operate in the black townships of the Western Cape. Specifically, this study targets African 1 copreneurs. Copreneurship is the term used when a husband and wife come together to own and manage a business as part of their daily engagement. As copreneurs, they confront specific obstacles. In South Africa, copreneurs exist within the framework of two fields, namely small, medium, micro business and family business. This study adopts a mixed research methodology, involving both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Thus the data collection instruments included a questionnaire and an interview schedule involving 150 subjects. The findings reveal, among other things, that major obstacles include the lack of finance for business expansion, as well as the lack of relevant information about government support, crime and absence of infrastructure. This study provides an opportunity to understand the specific challenges that c face, as well as information about the state of African copreneurship in black townships in the Western Cape. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations will shine a light on the specific challenges, as well as provide the necessary remedial opportunities so that these entrepreneurs are able to meaningfully add value to their respective communities.

Sustainable Livelihoods of Township Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises towards Growth and Development

“…Since township SMMEs operate in environments that differ from the SMMEs operating in the cities, they have unique challenges. Some of the challenges are: skills and knowledge [37]; lack of finance, lack of relevant information on government support, crime, and absent infrastructure [38]; lack of support from stakeholders, lack of legal knowledge, lack of funding, lack of business acumen, and poor technological skills [39]; lack of business acumen [40]; lack of management skills, finance and obtaining credit, access to markets, and developing relationships with customers [19]; lack of education, lack of training, and inadequate government support [41]; ICT education, lack of ICT awareness [14]; poor management skills, access to funding, lack of infrastructure, and poor government support [42]; competition, product cost, high inventory cost, high rental cost, and poor marketing of the business [43]; need for marketing, financial training, management training, and collaboration between government and stakeholders to provide adequate training [13]; lack business sustainability skills [44]; and lack of information, lack of resources [36].…”

Factors Affecting Black Copreneurial Businesses Performance: Western Cape Experience, South Africa

“…According to Myeko (2018) copreneurial business is not a new term in the family business environment, but they have been ignored for many decades, by both scholars and by researchers. Copreneurial businesses refer to husbands and wives who are willing to share the risk of running a business together (Myeko & Iwu, 2019).Copreneurial businesses refer only to husbands and wives or life partners, who run businesses together daily, as part of their family income (Cole & Johnson, 2007;Blenkinsopp & Owens, 2010). Blenkinsopp and Owens (2010) contends that "copreneurial businesses comprise husbands and wives where both are directly involved in the business's activities and governance."…”