We must cultivate SA's entrepreneurial spirit
Note to editors: The following statement was distributed at a press conference hosted in Parliament today by DA Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Federal Chairperson Wilmot James MP, DA National Spokesperson Mmusi Maimane, and DA Finance Spokesperson Tim Harris MP. A copy of the DA's plan "Building a Nation of Entrepreneurs" can be downloaded here.
Countries with growing economies and decreasing unemployment levels have all unleashed the entrepreneurial spirit of their citizens. We believe that South Africa's failure to grow the economy and create jobs is, in part, a failure to cultivate a nation of entrepreneurs.
Instead of harnessing the potential of citizens to start their own businesses, the ANC has strangled people's entrepreneurial spirit in never-ending red tape and bureaucracy. The DA wants to set our nation's entrepreneurial spirit free by making it easy for people to start their own businesses so they can stand on their own two feet and create jobs for others.
Today the DA presents its plan to build a nation of entrepreneurs. The third in a series of five thematic plans in the Growth and Jobs series, this plan sets out how - if elected to national government - the DA would create an environment in which small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) can take root and thrive.
This is because small businesses are the drivers of job creation. In the United States, SMMEs have created 80% of new jobs over the last 10 years, and form 98% of all employer firms. In India, the figure is 90%. In Ghana, it is estimated that 92% of all the businesses in the country are small businesses, and they contribute about 70% to the national GDP.