The Economy is F*ed. You Know It. I Know It. Here’s How We Survive.
You know how nuts things have gotten, and you're not wrong - it's not just you, the landscape has shifted into a whole new playing field (and not in a good way). Small business life in South Africa? Totally different beast than it was even a few years ago. But few people are calling it out. So let’s get real and talk through how we survive this circus.
South African Business in 2025: We All Know the Struggle
I see you - dealing with back-to-back crises, trying to keep staff paid, finding clients who have money to spend (and getting crickets in return), and wondering when the hell this will chill. You’re not alone, and I hear you. These days, it feels like every freaking thing has changed.
Energy Cuts That Don’t Quit
Load shedding is a relentless beast: 70% of small businesses say it tanked productivity, and 64% of township businesses straight up shut down when the lights go out.
Monthly costs to keep the lights on? Most businesses are dropping R100,000 – R500,000 just on generators or solar setups, and that’s if they can afford them.
It’s not just money, it’s morale. Mental health is taking a hit as business owners hustle harder for less.
A Flicker of Hope on the Horizon
But hey, there’s a glimmer. Eskom clocked 100 days with no load shedding, and business confidence is finally looking up (Business Confidence Index: stabilizing around 120 in early 2025).
And solar? It’s absolutely booming. One supplier saw its revenue skyrocket from $34M to $461M between 2018 and 2023.
How We Actually Survive (Because Complaining Alone Doesn’t Pay the Bills)
Let’s scrap the hand-wringing and get actionable:
1. Power Up Without Going Broke
If you haven’t at least applied for solar or backup power, now’s the time. Sure, upfront costs suck - but this is survival. Remember - you’re not alone in this journey.
Even if you can only cover part of your operations, that’s better than nothing.
My not-so-secret tip? Very few small businesses can legitimately afford a full solar get-up. Invest in a small start up fee (less than a grand, usually) and RENT solar. I use Gosolr. I’m not an affiliate, or linked in any way, it’s just saved my backside more than once.
That being said, with the new laws in place, we kind of can’t win, no matter which way we turn.
2. Cash Flow is King
Raise your prices (raised eyebrows everywhere). Keep tracking costs, tighten budgets, and rethink pricing where you can. Transparency with customers helps - no one likes surprises, least of all your bottom line.
3. Hustle Together
Community is your secret weapon:
Look at township mechanics collective using WhatsApp to bulk-buy parts and get training - all for a $10 a year membership. Pure brilliance.
Share tips, group-buy solar, support each other. Alone? Tough. Together? Unstoppable.
4. Keep Your Team and Your Sanity Intact
Burned out staff = burned out business. Shuffle schedules around load-shedding times. Work from alternative spaces when you need to (coffee shops, anyone?). Adapt, don’t collapse.
What to Do and What Not to Do
| Do This | Stop Doing This |
|---|---|
| Join collectives to save on costs | Isolating yourself |
| Invest in backup power now | Pretend load shedding is “just Wi-Fi out” |
| Track every rand and tighten margins | Throw money at flaky systems |
| Share, help, swap advice in your network | Compete when collaborating is smarter |
TL;DR: You’re Not Going Crazy - This Is Massive Change
We’re living in a different era. Business today? Not what it used to be. But that doesn’t mean we’re toast - it means we have to be clever. This is how we fight back.
Want tailored advice that doesn’t beat around the bush?
Hit me up:
📧 sez@sezdg.com
📲 WhatsApp: +27 67 601 0605
🌐 www.sezdg.com
Let’s turn this chaotic landscape into your playground. Keep hustling, keep surviving.