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Celebrating SA’s real small and medium enterprise owners
Cape Times
|October 16, 2025
EVERY year on October 16, Boss's Day gives employees an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the people who lead them for their support.
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But in South Africa, there's a category of bosses who deserve more than just a thank-you card from their teams - the small and medium enterprise (SME) owners. These are the leaders who collectively contribute a third of the country’s GDP and employ over 60% of the workforce. While large corporate CEOs may make more headlines, there is a lot we can also learn from the small business bosses. Here’s why:
1 They often prioritise purpose over profit
For most SME owners, the motivation to start a business goes beyond financial gain. Many are driven by a desire to solve a problem, support their community, or build something lasting. This sense of purpose gives their leadership authenticity — a quality that inspires employees and earns customer loyalty.
This story is from the October 16, 2025 edition of Cape Times.
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