Opposition to South Africa’s Business Licensing Bill

SMALL businesses across South Africa could face a bureaucratic nightmare if the draft Business Licensing Bill is passed, according to the Democratic Alliance.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

THE Democratic Alliance has launched a national petition against the draft Business Licensing Bill, warning it will drown small businesses in red tape and stifle job creation. | File

The party has started a national petition, claiming that the bill will bury entrepreneurs in red tape and make it even more difficult for South Africans to make a living.

This follows the government's proposed Business Licensing Bill, which aims to regulate a wide range of commercial activities but has faced strong opposition.

The draft legislation, published by the Department of Small Business Development, would require all businesses, from small startups to larger enterprises, to register with local municipalities and obtain licences valid for five years.