Nkondo, L. G.Khohomela, N. T.Masenya, Mapitsi Paulinah2025-10-082025-10-082025-09-05Masenya, M.P. 2025. An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2980M. Com (Business Management)Department of Business ManagementSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as the engine of growth for every country’s economy. These enterprises are estimated to be the major employer within the South African economy and contributes approximately 40 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. SMEs are perceived as the main drivers of poverty reduction, employment, economic growth, and wealth generation, hence are vital for a marketplace to be profitable and competitive. Regardless of the significance of SMEs on the country’s economic growth, literature has mainly ignored investigating the preparedness of SMEs owners towards the risk of natural disasters. Several available studies concentrated mainly on the challenges that SMEs come across in their businesses because of natural disasters thus threatening these enterprises’ business continuity and performance. Hence, it is an opportunity for this study to address the gap based on the above literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the SMEs owners’ preparedness towards the risks of natural disasters within Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Furthermore, a qualitative research approach was employed with a sample of 10 participants; purposive sampling was used to select the sample who share similar characteristics, experiences, and sentiments. Semi-structured interview guides were used to conduct face-to-face interviews to gather data. After collecting data, the transcription of data was done using Microsoft word, then the transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis through ATLAS.ti version 8 software. The findings of this study have shown that there is plethora strategies implemented to prepare to overcome risks of natural disasters in Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality, therefore strategies revealed were investment in insurance, emergency financial funds, employee training and use of digital tools. The current study was limited solely to SMEs operating within two Local Municipality, namely Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality and dependent only on the views and experiences of participants. The researcher recommended that SMEs should establish disaster awareness workshops and training to instil knowledge to other SMEs and large enterprises from other Municipalities or districts. It is advisable that a similar study be conducted in other districts using quantitative or mixed research approaches to gain a holistic understanding about the differences or similarities that may exist.1 online resource (xiii, 81 leaves): color illustrations, color mapsenUniversity of VendaSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)UCTDOwnersPreparednessRisk natural disastersSouth AfricaLimpopo ProvinceDissertationMasenya MP. An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Masenya, M. P. (2025). <i>An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMasenya, Mapitsi Paulinah. <i>"An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Dissertation AU - Masenya, Mapitsi Paulinah AB - Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as the engine of growth for every country’s economy. These enterprises are estimated to be the major employer within the South African economy and contributes approximately 40 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. SMEs are perceived as the main drivers of poverty reduction, employment, economic growth, and wealth generation, hence are vital for a marketplace to be profitable and competitive. Regardless of the significance of SMEs on the country’s economic growth, literature has mainly ignored investigating the preparedness of SMEs owners towards the risk of natural disasters. Several available studies concentrated mainly on the challenges that SMEs come across in their businesses because of natural disasters thus threatening these enterprises’ business continuity and performance. Hence, it is an opportunity for this study to address the gap based on the above literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the SMEs owners’ preparedness towards the risks of natural disasters within Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Furthermore, a qualitative research approach was employed with a sample of 10 participants; purposive sampling was used to select the sample who share similar characteristics, experiences, and sentiments. Semi-structured interview guides were used to conduct face-to-face interviews to gather data. After collecting data, the transcription of data was done using Microsoft word, then the transcribed data was analysed using thematic analysis through ATLAS.ti version 8 software. The findings of this study have shown that there is plethora strategies implemented to prepare to overcome risks of natural disasters in Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality, therefore strategies revealed were investment in insurance, emergency financial funds, employee training and use of digital tools. The current study was limited solely to SMEs operating within two Local Municipality, namely Thulamela and Makhado Local Municipality and dependent only on the views and experiences of participants. The researcher recommended that SMEs should establish disaster awareness workshops and training to instil knowledge to other SMEs and large enterprises from other Municipalities or districts. It is advisable that a similar study be conducted in other districts using quantitative or mixed research approaches to gain a holistic understanding about the differences or similarities that may exist. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) KW - Owners KW - Preparedness KW - Risk natural disasters KW - South Africa KW - Limpopo Province LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality TI - An exploration of Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners’ preparedness towards the risk of natural disasters within the Limpopo Province: a case of Vhembe District Municipality UR - ER -