Evaluating the Effectiveness of Government Policies and Support Programs Targeting Micro Enterprises in Gauteng, South Africa.

Micro-enterprises contribute significantly to employment creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic development in South Africa. Despite extensive government policies and support programmes aimed at promoting enterprise sustainability, concerns remain regarding their effectiveness in addressing the practical needs of micro-enterprise owners. This study evaluated the effectiveness of government policies and support programmes targeting micro-enterprises in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Guided by Institutional Theory, the study adopted a convergent mixed-methods design involving questionnaires administered to 200 micro-enterprise owners and semi-structured interviews with selected entrepreneurs and key stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that although government interventions improved access to training, advisory services, and limited financial support, overall programme effectiveness remained moderate. Approximately 63% of respondents were aware of available programmes, while only 41% had participated in them. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between programme participation and enterprise performance. However, bureaucratic procedures, limited awareness, fragmented implementation, and restricted access among informal enterprises constrained programme effectiveness. The study concludes that government support programmes possess considerable potential to enhance enterprise sustainability, provided implementation challenges are addressed. The study recommends strengthening programme awareness, simplifying administrative procedures, improving institutional coordination, and integrating financial support with long-term mentorship and capacity-building initiatives. Keywords: Micro-enterprises; Government Policy; Enterprise Development; Business Sustainability; Support Programmes; Gauteng Province; South Africa.