According to the partners, the township economy helps to generate employment and thus creates opportunities for those who may face barriers to employment in mainstream sectors. This helps alleviate poverty and also contributes to the overall economic development of the country.

Through the Bizniz in a Box (BiB) programme, CCBSA and DESTEA recently supported 27 entrepreneurs from Intabazwe township in Harrismith with business equipment, infrastructure improvements and training. These business owners will also further receive business development support to ensure that their businesses grow and are sustainable, says the duo. 

This handover for business equipment support was attended by the Free State MEC of Economic Development Thabo Meeko, who thanked CCBSA for this initiative that will empower these businesses. The department also committed R405 000 to supporting these 27 candidates with R15 000 each to help them in buying stock for their businesses, the duo adds. 

In the keynote address, MEC Thabo Meeko said, "The support we are providing here today is only one of several initiatives to help township-owned SMMEs develop and thrive, and there are yet many more to come. The department accedes to the reality that townships remain spatially disconnected and alienated from mainstream economic activity, and such programmes are aggressively bridging the existing spatial gap and is a work in progress to reintegrate our people in this economic sector."

Meeko added, "We hope and believe that such progressive programmes and strategic partnerships will help unlock the untapped potential and set township enterprises on a growth path and help diversify the township economy."

The BiB programme is part of CCBSA's economic inclusion programme to empower small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) — especially women and youth in our host communities, says CCBSA. 

As such, CCBSA — in partnership with DESTEA — has identified 50 small, medium and micro enterprises in the Free State and, through the BiB programme, provided infrastructure support such as:
  • a container
  • mobile kitchen, and
  • renovations.

Some businesses were provided support with equipment that will help them take their businesses to the next level. To date, 62 SMMEs have been supported through BiB and 560 businesses have been provided training, according to the partners. 

Jarrod Piderit (acting regional general manager), who was in attendance, commended the entrepreneurs for their efforts and encouraged them to work hard in their businesses so they could sustain their families and also employ other people in their community.

The DESTEA delegation then joined CCBSA for a trade outlet visit to see the various candidates in Intabazwe township that have benefited from infrastructure upgrades through this programme.

The severity of poverty and unemployment in the province required extensive policy creation to aggressively address the surroundings and circumstances in which township businesses operate. The department is working with the Free State Parliament to adopt the Housing Consumer Protection Bill in an effort to transform the township economy and bridge the gap between the township economy and mainstream economic activity, says the duo. 

According to CCBSA and DESTEA, the bill will serve as a means to address the plight of the people of the Free State on illicit goods sold within our townships. This bill seeks to do away with the oscillates that create uncertainty in the market, and as a result, lead to the abuse of opportunities presented by the township economy to our citizenry.

DESTEA says that it has heard the cries and heeled to the call made by the broader community of the Free State on illegal production, distribution and exchange of goods in the province.

The partnership is a commitment to creating an enabling platform for local enterprises to grow and develop. To this end, the department has dispatched its Consumer Protection Unit to extensively inspect and bring to book the selling of expired goods in the province. The support we are providing here today is only one of several initiatives to help township-owned SMMEs develop and thrive and there are yet many more to come, adds DESTEA.

About Bizniz in a Box

According to CCBSA, Bizniz in a Box is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people and integrating them into the economy. The ultimate aim is to contribute towards revitalising our township economies and supporting the country's development agenda. It was created to:
  • transform aspirant entrepreneurs into fully-fledged business owners who can build businesses
  • create jobs, and
  • provide a livelihood for themselves and others.

For the last seven years, CCBSA says that its Bizniz in a Box has contributed meaningfully to reducing youth unemployment by partnering with:
  • national and provincial governments
  • local municipalities, and
  • development finance institutions.

These partnerships have enabled entrepreneurs to develop businesses, improve their skills, access capital, improve supply chain development and inspire hope. To date, the initiative has trained over 700 entrepreneurs, concludes the CCBSA. 

For more information, visit www.ccbsaco.com. You can also follow CCBSA on Facebook.