ON THE election campaign trail top politicians compete with each other by proposing one grandiose plan after the next to fix the economy and create desperately needed jobs growth.At times, it seems, they are so embroiled in this competition that they can’t even agree on the colour of grass. This is astounding when everyone else is on the same page — agreeing that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are an engine of job creation in SA.SME champions range from the EFF, which has called for the creation of a state-owned bank to support them; the DA’s Mmusi Maimane, who claims "small businesses are the future of any economy"; and the ANC, which affords SA the luxury of a ministry and department dedicated to small business, although its Cabinet costs three times that of the UK’s.It is easy to understand why politicians love SMEs. They are relatively cheap to support and provide content for inspiring speeches. SA’s politicians want the electorate to believe that the next Google, Fac...
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