Analysing the sustainability of women-owned informal home-based businesses in the era of electricity loadshedding in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Newtown.

Abstract

Women-owned home-based businesses are key players in the informal sector in South Africa; however, these businesses struggle due to electricity loadshedding (planned power outages). It is against this background that this research study explored the sustainability of informal home-based businesses owned by women in Newtown, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The research utilised the sustainable livelihoods approach as a guiding framework to analyse the findings. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and non-probability sampling methods to recruit 10 women entrepreneurs from women-owned home-based businesses in Newtown. The data collection involved in-depth interviews and structured observations to gain in-depth insights into their experiences, coping mechanisms, and perspectives on business sustainability. The sustainable livelihoods approach emphasised the interconnectedness of various factors influencing livelihoods, including natural, financial, human, social, and political capital. Thus, the findings of the study indicate and affirm that women-owned informal home-based businesses face multifaceted challenges, highlighting the adverse impacts of electricity loadshedding on their operations and sustainability. These challenges include loss of financial stability attributed to the costs of investing in alternative power sources. The study concludes that the sustainability of these businesses is greatly affected. Even though the majority of the businesses are still operational, the study concludes that this sustainability varies greatly due to financial, emotional and additional negative factors exacerbated by loadshedding. The study concludes by recommending interventions aimed at addressing these challenges, advocating for local government to support the resilience and viability of women entrepreneurs in the informal sector.