Township Entrepreneur Awards launched in Tembisa
Township Entrepreneur Awards were launched in Tembisa on September 21.
The Township Entrepreneur Awards were launched in Tembisa on September 21.
“Today we gather here in Gauteng’s second biggest township to mark yet another milestone in our vision to grow and transform township economism” said Lebogang Maile, MEC of Gauteng Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development.
The MEC invited members of the media to the official announcement of the call for nominations.
The event aims to reward the efforts and contributions of township businesses.
Departmental spokesperson, Ms Phindile Kunene, said these businesses include those run by women, youth and people with disabilities.
She said they will be rewarded for sustainability, job creation, economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Ms Kunene said the awards, which stem from the consultative engagements that the government held with over 50 000 entrepreneurs across 65 townships, are aimed at showcasing, recognising and rewarding township business excellence.
The MEC said: “Through the awards we will reward hard work and dedication and demonstrate that township businesses can stand head and shoulders above the rest.
“The awards are part and parcel of taking forward the agenda to revitalise the township economy and to place our townships at the centre of the economic development in our province.”
Ms Phindile said the prizes for the awards are designed to directly address specific challenges facing township businesses such as lack of market access, integration into value chains, marketing information, operational space and funding.
“Through these awards it is envisaged that big and established businesses will play a greater role in the vision to revitalise township economies by providing sponsorship for prizes, training and incubation initiatives, as well as integrating promising township businesses into their supplier networks and product value chains,” she said.
Mr Brian Majola, director and co-founder of Flandry developments, said challenges they face as township businesses is finding space for manufacturing, securing funding from financial institutions and commitment from the community.
“This project will help in terms of funding and opening more doors for sales in other provinces,” he said.
