Free State Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs supports township economy in Harrismith

Supporting the township economy in Harrismith

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) in partnership with the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) is committed to supporting township owned SMMEs as part of their economic inclusion initiatives. The township economy helps to generate employment and thus create opportunities for those who may face barriers of employment in mainstream sectors. This helps alleviate poverty and also contributes to the overall economic development of the country.

Through the Bizniz in a Box (BiB) programme, CCBSA and DESTEA recently supported twenty seven entrepreneurs from Intabazwe township in Harrismith with business equipment, infrastructure improvements and training. These business owners will also further receive business development support to ensure that their businesses grow and are sustainable.

This handover for business equipment support was attended by the Free State MEC of Economic Development, Thabo Meeko who thanked CCBSA for this initiative which will empower these businesses. The Department also committed R405.000 to support these 27 candidates with R15 000 each to help them in buying stock for their businesses.

Giving the keynote address, MEC Thabo Meeko said “the support we are providing here today is only one of several initiatives to help township owned SMMEs develop and thrive and there are yet many more to come. The Department accedes to the reality that townships remain spatially disconnected and alienated from mainstream economic activity and such programmes are aggressively bridging the existing spatial gap and is work in progress to reintegrate our people in this economic sector. We hope and believe that such progressive programmes and strategic partnerships will help unlock the untapped potential and set township enterprises on a growth path and help diversify the township economy.”

The Bizniz in a Box (BiB) programme is part of CCBSA’s economic inclusion programme to empower small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) - especially women and youth in our host communities. As such CCBSA in partnership with DESTEA has identified 50 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) in the Free State and through the BiB programme provided infrastructure support such as a container, mobile kitchen and renovations. Some businesses were provided support with equipment that will help them take their businesses to the next level. To date, 62 SMME’s have been supported through BiB and 560 businesses have been provided training.

Jarrod Piderit (Acting Regional General Manager) who was in attendance commended the entrepreneurs for their efforts and encouraged them to work hard in their businesses so they can sustain their families and also employ other people in their community. The Destea delegation then joined CCBSA for a trade outlet visit to see the various candidates in Intabazwe township that have benefited from infrastructure upgrades through this programme.

The severity of poverty and unemployment in the province required extensive policy creation to aggressively address the surroundings and circumstances in which township businesses operate. The Department is working with the Free State Parliament to adopt the Housing Consumer Protection Bill in an effort to transform the township economy and bridge the gap between the township economy and mainstream economic activity. The Bill will serve as a means to address the plight of the people of the Free State on illicit goods sold within our townships. This bill seeks to do away with oscillates which creates uncertainty of the market, and as a result, lead to the abuse of opportunities presented by the township economy to our citizenry. DESTEA has heard the cries and heeled to the call made by the broader community of the Free State on illegal production, distribution and exchange of goods in the province.

The partnership is a committed in creating an enabling platform for local enterprises to grow and develop. To this end, the Department has dispatched its Consumer Protection Unit to extensively inspect and bring to book the selling of expired goods in the province. The support we are providing here today is only one of several initiatives to help township owned SMMEs develop and thrive and there are yet many more to come.

CCBSA contacts:
Pinky Lebitso
Email: plebitso@ccbagroup.com
Mobile: +27823858324

DESTEA Free State Contact
Mojalefa Mphapang
Cell: 0722741734
Email: mphapang@destea.gov.za