Abstract
M.Sc. (Geography)
From as early as 1995, South Africa identified Small Medium and Micro Enterprises
(SMMEs) as an important vehicle for economic growth, job creation and the alleviation of
poverty and inequality. Despite the long-standing government commitment and increased
support for the sector, South African SMMEs have not achieved the intended impact. South
Africa’s SMMEs continue to experience high mortality rates, with SMMEs failing to grow
and create the expected employment opportunities. In response to the challenges of high
SMMEs mortality and slow growth, South Africa has identified small business incubators as
strategic tools in helping to grow the country’s entrepreneurial base while reducing the high
mortality of SMMEs. Incubators provide SMMEs with targeted infrastructural, technical and
business support services during their early and most vulnerable stages of development. This
research contributes to the limited body of literature and knowledge concerning the
emergence, evolution, organization, geography and local impacts of South African business
incubators since the mid 1990s to present day (2013). The study contributes to the
international scholarship as one of the first detailed investigations conducted on the rapidly
evolving business incubation movement in South Africa. The study is structured into 3 core
themes. First, the research discusses core incubation concepts and analyzes the international
litrature and experience of business incubation in both developed and developing countries.
Second, the study tracks the emergence, evolution and development of South African
business incubators from the mid-1990s to present day (2013). Finally , the study seeks to
understand the organization, geography and local impacts of South African incubators (both
public and private) using detailed interviews and case studies.