A recent visit to South Africa highlights a stark contrast with Kenya regarding the informal economy, prompting a re-evaluation of Kenya's reliance on "hustling." While "hustling" is celebrated in Kenya, its prevalence suggests a lack of sufficient formal sector opportunities and social security.

• In Kenya, the informal sector accounts for 80 percent of the economy, compared to only about 20 percent in South Africa.
• The author observed a significant absence of informal businesses like M-Pesa kiosks and bodabodas in South Africa, unlike in Kenya.
• South Africa offers citizens benefits such as free medical care, subsidized higher education, and welfare money for the unemployed, contributing to less reliance on informal hustling.