CoE gives township economy shot in arm
Entrepreneurs who need help with the application process can visit their nearest customer care centres.
To boost the township economy and local businesses, the CoE has put aside R9m to help the owners of tuck shops, spaza shops and fruit and vegetable traders in the region.
“The development of township economy is a national priority to drive inclusive development in previously disadvantaged areas.
“Among the key objectives is the creation of jobs and poverty alleviation, which remain some of the major challenges facing our country,” said MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate Nomadlozi Nkosi.
“This trading support fund is one of the city’s key interventions to accelerate social and economic development in the identified sector, which happens to be the major means of survival in our communities.”
The financial assistance for fruit and vegetable informal street traders will include a R10 000 voucher to buy fresh produce stock and entrepreneurial training by industry leaders from the Ekurhuleni Fresh Produce Market in Springs.
On the other hand, successful traders from the tuck shop and spaza shop sector will receive a R30 000 voucher to buy stock. They will also receive training and point-of-sale support from designated wholesalers.
“This is a start, and we hope our people seize and optimise the opportunity. We have seen the struggles for our small entrepreneurs, and we believe every little intervention could go a long way to help them do better and run more professional and profitable businesses,” elaborated Nkosi.
Entrepreneurs needing help with the application process can visit their nearest customer care centres, where a team of business advisers will assist.
Street traders should submit the supporting documents listed below as part of their applications for funding via email to StreetVendor.Support@ekurhuleni.gov.za on or before the closing date on May 6.
• Certified copies of SA identity documents and/or valid immigration documents in case of non-South African residents;
•. Valid trading permit;
• Proof of address in the form of a municipal statement of account, title deed or lease agreement; and
• A letter of support from the ward councillor.
Meanwhile, those applying for funding for their tuck or spaza shops should email their supporting documents to Spazashop.support@ekurhuleni.gov.za on or before the closing date on April 30.
The supporting documents are:
• Business profile with details of owners.
• Certified copies of SA identity documents and/or valid immigration documents in case of non-SA residents.
• Valid business licence or trading permit.
• Proof of address (municipal statement of account, title deed or lease agreement).
• Two business references and/or letters of support and confirmation.
Applicable conditions:
• All required documentation must be attached. Failure to attach it shall result in immediate disqualification.
• No late applications will be accepted under any circumstances.
• The CoE reserves the right not to make any award or to withhold any award without providing reasons.
• No applications will be accepted from persons in the service of the State.
• All applications shall be subject to confidentiality protection accorded in terms of the POPIA Act.
• Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement within seven days of award. Failure to do so will result in automatic forfeiture.
