Nearly 70% of South Africans oppose using state power to dictate where and how people do business, revealing a national mandate for enterprise freedom and lighter regulation. This was according to a poll conducted by the Social Research Foundation.

Asked whether the government should decide what business people may start, where they may locate, who they may hire, and what they may sell, 68% of South Africans answered no. Only 21% backed such sweeping state authority, and the remainder were unsure.

And support for economic freedom is strikingly broad. Sixty‑five percent of ANC supporters, 72% of DA supporters, and 61% of EFF supporters said enterprise should be largely self‑directed. Even among low‑income respondents, a majority feared that heavy regulation would choke job creation.

The poll confirms what firm‑level data already suggest bureaucratic red tape is a key drag on small business formation. Entrepreneurs interviewed cited licence backlogs, zoning delays, and unpredictable inspections as deterrents to expansion. Ordinary voters connect those hurdles to fewer opportunities for apprenticeships and first jobs.

The message to lawmakers is explicit South Africans want a climate where initiative is rewarded, and investors can plan beyond the next ministerial directive. Over‑regulation does not equal protection; it often fuels corruption and raises prices. A reform agenda that trims permit requirements, streamlines tax registration, and simplifies hiring rules would align public policy with public opinion. Failure to act risks perpetuating slow growth and entrenched unemployment. Lawmakers are advised to adopt a reform-oriented lens when considering the future of economic regulation. Economic growth and opportunity depend on public trust and responsive governance.