By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: John Mlangeni – CEO for Merchant Services at FNB, advocates for greater certainty in the payments ecosystem, highlighting the critical role that transparent, reliable and predictable payment solutions play in helping South Africa’s small businesses grow, innovate and thrive in an increasingly competitive economy. Photo Credit: Supplied
Johannesburg, South Africa — For many South African entrepreneurs, making a sale is only half the battle. The bigger challenge is knowing exactly when the money will arrive.
In an economy defined by rising costs, persistent uncertainty and tight cash flow, business leaders are increasingly arguing that payment certainty—not simply increased sales—has become one of the most important factors determining whether small businesses survive or fail.
According to FNB Merchant Services CEO John Mlangeni, unpredictable payment settlements, unclear transaction costs and limited visibility into cash flow continue to place unnecessary pressure on thousands of entrepreneurs, preventing many from growing despite maintaining healthy sales volumes.
While global markets continue to navigate currency volatility, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change, South Africa’s small businesses face a more immediate concern: maintaining sufficient cash flow to keep their doors open.
Sales Don’t Always Mean Cash in the Bank
For many entrepreneurs, particularly township retailers, independent traders and small service providers, the ability to sell products does not automatically translate into immediate access to working capital.
A business may process dozens—or even hundreds—of card transactions in a single day, yet still wait several days before those funds become available.
During that waiting period, suppliers still expect payment, rental obligations remain due, employees need to be paid and stock must be replenished.
For businesses operating on thin margins, delayed settlements can quickly create liquidity challenges, even when customer demand remains strong.
The result is a paradox that many entrepreneurs know all too well: a profitable business can still experience severe cash flow strain.
Cash Flow Is the Lifeblood of Growth
Financial experts have long argued that cash flow, rather than turnover alone, is one of the strongest indicators of business sustainability.
Predictable access to revenue allows entrepreneurs to plan inventory purchases, negotiate with suppliers, manage operational costs and confidently pursue expansion opportunities.
Without that certainty, business owners often postpone hiring, delay investment and abandon growth plans in favour of simply surviving another trading cycle.
It is a reality that disproportionately affects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which remain one of South Africa’s largest sources of employment and economic activity.
Transparency Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage
Beyond settlement delays, business owners are increasingly demanding greater transparency around payment processing.
Unexpected transaction fees, complicated pricing structures and limited visibility into payment data can quietly erode profitability over time.
Industry leaders argue that modern payment solutions should do far more than simply process transactions.
Today’s businesses expect real-time financial insights that enable smarter decision-making, clearer forecasting and stronger financial management.
Access to accurate transaction data is also becoming increasingly valuable when applying for business finance, allowing lenders to assess performance based on actual trading activity rather than historical paperwork alone.
Technology Is Reshaping Small Business Finance
The latest generation of point-of-sale (POS) technology is helping redefine how entrepreneurs manage their businesses.
Far from functioning solely as card payment devices, modern POS platforms increasingly serve as real-time business management tools, providing instant visibility into sales trends, customer behaviour, stock movement and cash flow performance.
For many SMEs, these insights are proving just as valuable as the payment itself.
By combining payment processing with business intelligence, entrepreneurs are better positioned to make informed operational decisions, manage working capital more effectively and unlock funding opportunities aligned with actual business performance.
Building Confidence in Uncertain Times
As South Africa continues to encourage entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing unnecessary financial complexity has become increasingly important.
Business owners are not necessarily asking for more sophisticated technology or additional features.
Instead, many simply want certainty.
They want to know when payments will arrive, what transactions will cost, and whether their business has the financial stability to invest, employ and expand with confidence.
In an increasingly competitive economy, predictability may prove to be one of the most valuable resources an entrepreneur can have.
Because while innovation drives growth, certainty keeps businesses alive.
And for South Africa’s small business sector, that certainty could make the difference between merely surviving and building enterprises capable of creating lasting economic opportunity.
