This study aimed to explore the importance of corporate governance to the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Gauteng province, South Africa. The study focused on exploring the roles of corporate governance to SMEs sustainability, identifying the current practices among SMEs, identify the benefits of corporate governance to SMEs as well as to recommend strategies for effective adoption of corporate governance practices among SMEs. The study was done using the qualitative research approach. The exploratory research design was utilised. In the collection of data, semi-structured face-to-face interviews with SMEs in Gauteng Province were utilised. The study utilised a sample size of ten (10) participants; this was selected using a non-probability sampling technique, precisely, convenience technique. The collected data were analysed using the thematic analysis tool; themes and patterns were developed and presented in this study. The study found that there are several roles played by corporate governance in SMEs which include improving the competitiveness of SMEs and its role to improve the firm’s performance. The study found that small and medium enterprises are not practising corporate governance due to inadequate capabilities. The study revealed that there are no risk management practices in SMEs. There are no clearly defined roles and responsibilities and small enterprises are not emphasising integrity and ethical dealings. The research revealed that corporate governance increases access to resources; it paves way for future growth. It lowers the cost of capital and improves the management structure of entities. It improves the benefits of all stakeholders as well as the company’s reputation. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be the training of owners and managers to understand the benefits of corporate governance, frameworks need to be applied flexibly, taking account of the heterogeneous nature of small businesses as well as changing board structure and increasing the number of external directors.

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