The Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Empowerment Summit, hosted at the Altrec Sports Complex in Alexandra, drew a crowd eager to tackle the area’s economic hurdles head-on.

The two-day summit, which began on Thursday, was organised by The Transformation Firm, with the intention to breathe new life into the township economy while opening doors to vital networks, resources, and community upliftment.

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The empowerment summit brought together a range of key players, including Region E Business Solutions (REBS), the City of Johannesburg’s Economic Development Department, Ikamvalethu Opportunity Centre, and government-backed entities, like the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller.

Matsie Mpshe, the founder and managing director of The Transformation Firm, said that the SMME support network is driven by a common mission.

“All of these are working towards the common goal of supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship.”

The drive to host the summit right in Alexandra stems from the township’s stubborn unemployment woes, exacerbated by the influx of residents chasing jobs in nearby upscale areas like Sandton. By pulling together experts and aspiring business owners, Mpshe said the event worked to counter these pressures, igniting fresh ideas and connections that could lead to job creation.

Mpshe pointed out that while entrepreneurial support has long been available, many locals were not aware of it. “This platform makes that kind of support accessible.”

She further touched on a familiar pattern in townships like Alexandra, noting that too many people lean on government grants amid high unemployment rates. She explained that the summit sought to push back against that, urging attendees to tap into their own skills and spot opportunities in their surroundings.

“We encourage people to use their hands and minds to build something. We want them to identify opportunities in the environments that they are in, and to generate an income that will be more sustainable.”

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She emphasised that was the reason they had the session on building an entrepreneurial mindset.

REBS’ Jacky Dikgale hailed the summit as a crucial platform to amplify their call for the unity of all SMMEs in Region E. “REPS’ mandate is simple: To make sure we unite all SMMEs in all business spheres, and to help SMMEs address any challenges they face.”

He emphasised the importance of uniting SMMEs to bridge the gap between communities, such as Alexandra and the flourishing Sandton.

He noted that the growth of the township economy, and the creation of jobs, depend on this unity.

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