Empowering change: Unleashing the potential of social enterprises through contextually relevant support mechanisms in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Background: Innovative solutions are imperative in the face of escalating socio-economic and environmental challenges worldwide. Social entrepreneurship has served as a widely recognized, viable approach to these challenges. However, such initiatives often struggle due to insufficient support. Research objectives: This study investigates contextually relevant support mechanisms that could optimize the impact of social enterprises in addressing socio-economic and environmental issues within Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Research design and methods: Through focus group discussions with both practicing and aspiring social entrepreneurs, the study identifies 13 interconnected mechanisms that could bolster the growth and sustainability of social enterprises in the region. Results: The findings suggest that policy interventions should center on strengthening these support mechanisms, which may include financial incentives, capacity-building programs, regulatory reforms, and fostering collaborative networks among stakeholders. Conclusions: This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on social entrepreneurship by providing empirical evidence on the role of support mechanisms in enhancing the effectiveness of social enterprises. The results presented in the article draw from the lived experiences of social entrepreneurs within a resource-constrained and developmentally significant setting of the province. Thus, this article offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners in the field, bridging the gap between theory and practice in social entrepreneurship.