Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to play a crucial role in socioeconomic development by creating jobs and fostering economic growth in South African townships. This paper aims to investigate the motivational factors of SMEs in Mankweng Township (Zone 1). The question that this paper aims to answer is what are the motivational factors of SMEs in Mankweng Township (Zone 1)? Motivational factors in the business world refer to the driving forces that influence companies' choices, actions, and behavioural patterns. In the context of entrepreneurship, motivation can stem from internal desires such as ambition, independence, and achievement, or external pressures such as unemployment and financial need. This paper shows that overdependent on profit might overshadow the social responsibility of serving the local community. This paper used a mixed methods approach. This paper determines that it is essential to achieve profit or additional income while upholding the social responsibility of supporting the local community with dignity and respect. In the end, this paper suggests that to improve the sustainability and development of SMEs in South African townships, it is crucial to support both internal and external motivators that affect entrepreneurial actions.