For many years, South Africa has been facing considerable challenges related to the high unemployment rate, poverty, and inequality. As an alternative to alleviate the amount of joblessness, people have shifted to the creation of their informal employment through infiltration in the informal economy to generate income and livelihoods. This study seeks to examine the significance of the informal economy regarding its contributions and constraints to the local economic development with a focus on the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in South Africa. Research results revealed that the informal...