WeeklySA_AdminPARTNERSHIP: Initiative aimed at empowering township-based Enterprises to exploit business opportunities emanating from economic development opportunities in the townships
By Jacob Mawela
In a major step forward for economic development and entrepreneurship in South Africa, scores of township entrepreneurs and aspirant ones stand to benefit from a transformative entrepreneurship programme spearheaded by the Township Economic Commission SA (Tecsa).
Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between Tecsa and the Cape-based School of Entrepreneurship (SOE), a Township Entrepreneurship Bursary Scheme Programme to empower business operators in black areas was launched in Soweto on Tuesday.
This landmark initiative is set to take place on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 10:30 AM, at the renowned SUD Restaurant in Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto, marking a pivotal moment in the empowerment of township entrepreneurs across the nation.
Designed to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment and foster a culture of sustainable entrepreneurship, this programme was hailed by Tecsa president Bheki Twala as a beacon of hope for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs within the townships.
The partnership aims to provide qualifying participants with access to the transformative 4LIFE Entrepreneurship programme, significantly subsidizing programme fees by 90%. This initiative not only opens doors to financial independence for beneficiaries but also promises to have a substantial impact on the township economy at large.
Twala emphasised the programme’s foundational approach: “This is about laying a solid foundation, equipping township based enterprises with the necessary knowledge and skills to seize business opportunities spurred by Economic Development Initiatives in our communities.” Mr. Leon Lategan, CEO and Founder of the School of Entrepreneurship, reinforces the strategic significance of the collaboration with TECSA, as crucial for the economic upliftment of the township economy.
As an entrepreneur-activist, Lategan’s mission – through the School of Entrepreneurship – is to champion entrepreneurship as a key solution to South Africa’s unemployment crisis.
“The success stories and testimonials of our students are a constant source of inspiration, driving us to further our mission,” said Lategan.
Renowned for his pivotal role in coaching over 30 000 entrepreneurs globally, and sharing platforms with global thought leaders, Lategan brings a wealth of experience and passion to the fore. With a track record of over 20 years as a successful entrepreneur himself, he has dedicated his life to helping thousands of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, to make a lasting impact in the current and future economy of South Africa.
The venue for the launch – SUD restaurant situated along Soweto’s world-renowned Vilakazi Street – was the auspicious location of the occasion which saw the two parties signing a memorandum-of-understanding against a backdrop of an exhibition products and services produced by a host of township entrepreneurs.
The exhibition showcased the offerings of businesses such as Kasi 2 Kasi Plumbers Association, Tsheto Leadership and Coaching Academy, Entrepreneurial Action for Us, Kasi Mnotho Fund, COOP Funeral Solutions Black Undertakers Umbrella. The highlight was keynote presentation by Lategan.
Present too were representatives from stakeholders such as the City of Johannesburg’s Youth Directorate, Banele Dlamini, the University of Johannesburg’s ENACTUS, the manufacturing sector’s Mphuthi Mphuthi, the Box Shop’s initiator Sibusiso Moyo, Gordon Institute of Business Science. The gathering served as a clarion call to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment and foster a culture of sustainable entrepreneurship, with the programme designed as a beacon of hope for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs within the townships.
The partnership betwixt TECSA and SOE aims to provide qualifying participants with access to the transformative 4LIFE Entrepreneurship programme, significantly subsidising programme fees for enrolling at the School of Entrepreneurship by 90%.
Not only does the initiative open doors to financial independence for beneficiaries but also promises to have a substantial impact on the township economy at large.
In welcoming attendees and participants to a program punctuated by networking TECSA’s president, Bheki Twala, passionately exhorted them to “take ownership of this programme; this programme belongs to you.”
Speaking with characteristic zest, he pointed out that the objective of the rendezvous was to make history and furthermore encourage township entrepreneurs to “take the economy of this country to the next level!”
Inspiring the gathered by sharing an anecdote on how he progressed from a varsity dropout to becoming a gym instructor who sourced equipment from Italy for the local Virgin Active chain after its purchase by Sir Richard Branson from the now-defunct Health & Racquet Club and thereafter building himself up to where he is now.
Thabo Nkhasi, of Kasi 2 Kasi Plumbers Association, testified about his own entrepreneurial journey, informing guests about how having enrolled for a 12-month program he steered his Soweto-based plumbing business from making R3000 a month to R85 000 within a brief period!
“Thanks to you,” he directed his words to Lategan. Also present was a group of young students from the UJ Soweto Campus representing ENACTUS. The project manager, Thabo Hlalele, described their entity as striving to get fellow students to start their own business while still studying – with an emphasis on social entrepreneurship, which entails utilising entrepreneurial solutions to challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Pledges were also made, notably by the principal of the youth directorate in the Johannesburg municipality, Dlamini, who undertook to partner with other stakeholders in the development of youth.
Mphuthi Mphuthi pledged monetary support for the programme and the Kasi Mnotho Fund stakeholder specialist Mbali Mthembu encouraged the public to ensure they complied with requirements when applying for funding.
TECSA is a registered non-profit company established by Soweto residents and local businesspeople, led by Twala, to empower township-based enterprises to exploit business opportunities .
The School of Entrepreneurship aims to create over 10 000 new entrepreneurs in the next five years, with a view to significantly impacting on the unemployment rate through practical, accessible, and scalable programmes.
