Community Business Owners (CBO) launches in Kempton Park Chapter

Eagle’s Nest Coffee Shop in Kempton Park was the venue for the launch of the Kempton Park chapters of the Community Business Owners (CBO), a platform dedicated to growing and promoting community businesses.

CBO aims to empower, strengthen and uplift local economies with a vision to establish a chapter in every town across South Africa.

Founded by Andrew Wainwright in Edenvale in 2021, CBO has expanded rapidly, with new chapters in Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg, and now Kempton Park.

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Wainwright said CBO was all about having fun, getting to know each other and breaking down barriers.

Linda Lombard, a member of CBO, said she has put up her hands to launch this branch together with Thulani Kunene, and she invited Sipho Mngomezulu and Olu Nwosu to join the admin team to assist with running the branch.

Lombard said the initiative has gained momentum, with upcoming launches in Kyalami and Fourways and interest from Cape Town and the Free State.

“CBO’s purpose is to create a favourable economic cycle by supporting local businesses, helping them thrive and grow.

“The platform offers a unique approach to networking, with no membership fees, no limits on professions per chapter, and the ability to visit multiple chapters,” said Lombard.

She said the Kempton Park launch exceeded expectations, with 17 attendees, highlighting the need for effective networking events in the area.

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Lombard added that CBO provides an ideal platform for local business owners to connect personally and collaborate on growing community businesses.

What sets CBO apart is its five key values: think local, support local, ethically and morally sound, striving for excellence and accountability.

The platform offers monthly meetups, online training, webinars, courses, and an annual SME Summit.

She said CBO is more than just a networking platform; it’s a community of local SME business owners building business friendships and partnerships, collaborating daily to grow their businesses and those of their fellow members.

According to Lombard, all CBO chapters meet on the first Friday of every month.

The next event will be on September 6.

Business owners interested in joining the event can register at www.cboconnect.co.za
Lombard said the organisation hosts events that are sold out within three days.

CBO hosts online training, webinars and courses and the annual CBO event in July.

They also host a year-end function for small businesses.

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Velaphi Fisher said it was his first time attending and he believes the initiative has direction.

“The initiative will be useful for my business because I have already exchanged contacts with people.

“The last time I heard of networking was before Covid-19 and I’d encourage the township business to join the meetings,” said Fisher.

Lararus Ngwenyama said the CBO was better than other meetings because the initiative is more focused on business helping one another.