There have been numerous challenges impeding efforts of black women to establish, grow and sustain their small and medium businesses in South Africa. This sector is male dominated and yet females, especially black women, are predominant in the South African economically active population. If meaningful success is to be achieved, it is imperative for both public and private sectors to formulate and implement sustainable policies and strategies to stimulate, grow and sustain black women-owned businesses. Black women were the focus of the research for this article because of their historic marginalisation, economically. The insights of black female entrepreneurs hopefully provide an understanding of the challenges facing black women establishing and developing SMEs in different sectors in the South African economy. The aim of the article is to review the existing policy and strategy framework for black, women-owned small and medium busi