The Kasi Tech Summit took place at East Bank Hall in Alexandra on September 30, drawing hundreds of township entrepreneurs, tech founders, small business owners, corporates, government representatives and ecosystem partners under the theme: Tech and AI skills for Kasi entrepreneurs.

Organised by the Township Entrepreneur Agency (Tea), the free one-day event focused on moving technology from awareness to practical adoption. Organisers said a survey of more than 340 township entrepreneurs had identified AI tools for business as the most requested skill, followed by software development and automation.

Read more: SMME Summit empowers entrepreneurs in Alexandra

Bulelani Balabala, CEO and founder of Tea, told participants the township economy could no longer remain mainly a consumer of technology. “It must become a builder, adopter and owner of technology. Our goal, with Kasi Tech, is to move AI, digital skills, cloud connectivity and practical technology solutions from conference stages and corporate boardrooms into the communities where millions of South Africans live, trade and build businesses,” Balabala said.

The programme featured live masterclasses, working demonstrations, a showcase floor and direct engagement with corporates, tools and funders. Speakers included Godiragetse Mogajane, founder of Delivery Ka Speed, Sibusiso Tyatya, senior technical specialist at Microsoft South Africa, Morekolodi Salema of ManSalema Enterprise, Keletso Lekwakwe of PasswordKid, Brian Magwaza of Njinjicom, Neo Moretlwe of Brain Engine and Balabala himself. Programme director Sibusiso Molimi, of Ayeye Consulting, facilitated sessions, including a pitching masterclass.

An exhibition area featured technology-focused businesses and organisations, among them Logitech, Sorted, NexMotion, Microsoft, Bra Peter, Tweak My Price, Kaya Digitech, Game On, Elite Traders and Whatshop.

Also read: Empowerment summit ignites Alexandra’s entrepreneurship drive

Tea said the summit formed part of its broader work, supporting more than 130 000 township and rural entrepreneurs through skills, market access, mentorship and partnerships.

Organisers indicated that future editions would continue measuring adoption and reporting on impact as part of a year-on-year record of township digital transformation.

Registration was required in advance and seating was limited. Further information is available at www.kasitech.co.za.

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