Business Partners Limited SME Confidence Index Second Quarter 2026

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Quarter-specific questions

Question Title

1. Did the recent marches and protests relating to illegal immigration have a negative impact on your business operations?

Yes, significantly

Yes, somewhat

I participated in the march and/or temporarily closed my business to do so

Unsure

Question Title

2. In your industry, how common do you believe the employment of undocumented foreign nationals is among businesses?

Very common

Somewhat common

Rare

Very rare

Unsure

Question Title

3. Do you believe insufficient enforcement of immigration and labour laws is creating unfair competition for South African SMEs?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Unsure / Prefer not to answer

Question Title

4. Following the announcement of South Africa's 2026 local government election date, have you decided which political party or candidate you intend to vote for?

Yes, I have decided

No, I am still undecided

I do not intend to vote

I prefer not to answer

Question Title

5. Please rank the following factors in order of importance when deciding which party or candidate to vote for in the upcoming local government elections. With 1 being the most influential factor and 8 being the least influential factor.

Better municipal service delivery

Effective management of illegal immigration

Honest leadership with no corruption scandals

Improved road infrastructure

Reliable electricity supply

Reliable water supply

Safer towns and cities

Support for SMEs, investment and job creation

Question Title

* 1. Did the recent marches and protests relating to illegal immigration have a negative impact on your business operations?

Question Title

* 2. In your industry, how common do you believe the employment of undocumented foreign nationals is among businesses?

Question Title

* 3. Do you believe insufficient enforcement of immigration and labour laws is creating unfair competition for South African SMEs?

Question Title

* 4. Following the announcement of South Africa's 2026 local government election date, have you decided which political party or candidate you intend to vote for?

Question Title

* 5. Please rank the following factors in order of importance when deciding which party or candidate to vote for in the upcoming local government elections. With 1 being the most influential factor and 8 being the least influential factor.

1. Did the recent marches and protests relating to illegal immigration have a negative impact on your business operations?

2. In your industry, how common do you believe the employment of undocumented foreign nationals is among businesses?

3. Do you believe insufficient enforcement of immigration and labour laws is creating unfair competition for South African SMEs?

4. Following the announcement of South Africa's 2026 local government election date, have you decided which political party or candidate you intend to vote for?

5. Please rank the following factors in order of importance when deciding which party or candidate to vote for in the upcoming local government elections. With 1 being the most influential factor and 8 being the least influential factor.