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Entrepreneurship is thriving amongst the immigrant population in South Africa. There is an explosion of successful immigrant SMMEs. Researchers acknowledge that immigrants are operating successful SMMEs. There is still a paucity in the body of knowledge about the operational strategies contributing to the thriving of immigrant enterprises. The objective of the study is to examine the operational strategies of African Immigrant SMMEs. The study sought to answer the main research question – “What are the operational strategies of African immigrant SMMEs in Thulamela Local Municipality? The study adopted a qualitative approach. The population was immigrant SMMEs in Thulamela Local Municipality. Purposive non-probability and snowball sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 20 participants who met the set qualifying criteria for the study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants in English. Data was analysed using Archive of Technology, Life world and Language for text interpretation (ATLAS.ti) Version 8.4. The study found that operational strategies adopted by African immigrant SMMEs include industry experience capitalisation; credit to regular customers; long operating hours; competitor consciousness; and fast customer service. A similar study may be conducted in other municipalities or provinces towards a broader understanding of the subject matter in different contexts.

Women migrant informal traders face numerous vulnerabilities worldwide. In developing countries, women engaged in informal trading constitute a significant portion of the workforce within the informal economy. Many of these women originate from African countries and initially seek employment opportunities within South Africa's informal sector. This study aims to examine the participation of Congolese refugee women in the informal economy within local markets in Durban. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data was collected from ten Congolese women who confront various challenges, including family responsibilities, police harassment, documentation obstacles, and limited access to financial services. Participants were selected using snowball sampling between 2008 and 2009. The findings indicate that approximately 90% of the women engage in entrepreneurial activities to compensate for the lack of formal employment opportunities, thereby improving their livelihoods and contributing positively to the wider community. The study highlights the important role played by Congolese women in Durban’s informal economy and underscores the need for gender-responsive policies. Implementing such policies can empower women informal traders and support the socio-economic development of Durban.

Immigrant-owned enterprises have become a significant part of South Africa’s informal and formal economic sectors, particularly within local municipalities. In Thulamela Local Municipality, located in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, immigrant entrepreneurs contribute significantly to local economic activities, especially in retail and the informal sector. Despite their visible presence and contributions, these entrepreneurs encounter a range of limitations that threaten the sustainability and scalability of their businesses. This study explores the key challenges hindering immigrant enterprise owners in Thulamela Local Municipality, to identify both structural and context-specific barriers. The study adopts a qualitative research approach, utilising in-depth interviews and purposive sampling to gather data from 12 participants, guided by a structured interview guide. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and lived experiences across cases. The findings of the study reveal several persistent challenges, including limited access to formal financial institutions, complex regulations, social exclusion, and xenophobic attitudes from local communities. These challenges not only hinder business growth but also limit the long-term integration of immigrant entrepreneurs into the broader local economy. Furthermore, the insufficient institutional support and representation in local enterprise structures amplify their vulnerability and marginalisation. The study recommends the establishment of inclusive local economic growth strategies and structured support programs that recognise the unique role immigrant entrepreneurs play in local economic resilience and inclusive development in underdeveloped municipalities.

The small business sector has been identified as an essential component of the global economy, especially in developing economies, where it plays a significant role in addressing job creation and poverty. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant lockdown restrictions have brought untold devastation to the sector forcing many out of operation, crippling business operations and financial viability. We seek to identify the role and impact of government relief measures in helping immigrant-owned businesses in South Africa to deal with the impact of the pandemic on their businesses. Primary data was collected using an electronic questionnaire administered to 260 foreign business owners in South Africa. The data was cleaned and statistically analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. We interpreted and discussed the results using the realistic conflict theory. Though a vast majority of the businesses (89%) reported that the pandemic had a very severe impact on their financial sustainability and liquidity, none of them reported that they benefitted from any of the South African government business support packages during the pandemic.