SHARPEVILLE – The Gauteng MEC for Economic Development and Finance, Lebogang Maile, recently brought the “Qondis’ Ishishini Lakho – Fix Your Business” campaign to Sharpeville, where scores of business owners were in attendance.

The engagement took place at the Full Gospel Fellowship Church. Maile was keeping a promise he made following tensions between foreign nationals and the Boitshepiville community, who called for the government to assist them in taking back the township economy.

Members of the public raised challenges they are faced with citing the difficulties they are met with in getting government to assist them to establish their own businesses and become part of the economy.

The community also told the MEC how they are struggling since a lot of shops closed down in their areas.

In response, Maile brought the recently launched campaign which assists businesses in Gauteng to comply with regulations. The campaign aims to ensure businesses comply with legal and regulatory requirements, educate township businesses on the benefits of formalizing their businesses reduce access barriers for township businesses.

Addressing the attendees, Maile highlighted that the government is ready to work with local entrepreneurs. He, however, advised them to do the groundwork in ensuring that they have the necessary compliance and business plans in order to secure funding.

Maile said they are looking forward to hearing new ideas and supporting them. He further highlighted that funding would have to be paid back to government to enable them to fund other up-and-coming businesses.

“What is important is that we get to build sustainable businesses that will help grow the economy and also create employment.”