Y T I V I T C A F O A HIVE TOWNSHIP ECONOMY
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n the townships, functions are incomplete without three-legged pots, tent and chairs, meat, veggies and of course scones. These scones are traditionally baked by a group of women in the week leading to the function as a gesture of good neighbourliness. It may be a wedding, funeral or even a tombstone unveiling, an expected practice looked up to that it raises eyebrows if it is not undertaken. It is the same as coming together to prepare vegetables for cooking, or when men of the community come to assist in pitching a tent and slaughtering of a beast to feed the masses that will gather for the function. However, this practice seems to be changing as a result of developments which can now be attributed to a vibrant township economy. The spirit of entrepreneurship has taken centre stage and services are now provided by local entrepreneurs. There are now local bakeries and bakers who make a living by baking scones for such community functions. From a
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Thursday, you’ll be late making an order for the weekend. This observation was provoked by the speech by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, during his delivery of the State of Province Address. In his speech, Premier Makhura said “As the pioneers of the township economy revitalisation, we are making significant progress in empowering township-based enterprises, cooperatives and SMMEs. We will demonstrate that the township economy is becoming a beehive of activity with regard to innovation, entrepreneurship, empowerment and decent employment.” Having grown up in the township of Gauteng and frequenting most of the townships in Tshwane in particular, I asked the question: where is the activity we seem to miss and appreciate? “Driven by curiosity, I was confronted by very intriguing information of what has been achieved particularly in the 2015/16 financial year. This programme of revitalising township economy is aimed at bringing economic activity to
the township that can ultimately create much-needed jobs”, Makura said. I am pleased to see that township entrepreneurs have responded to the call by the province. I am equally pleased to learn that the municipalities are key to this development, as structures at the coalface of delivery are the main drivers of these programmes. In the first full year of the implementation of the Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy, the provincial government spent R1.8 billion procuring goods and services from township enterprises. In addition, municipalities are spending R1.6 billion of their procurement budgets on township enterprises. In his speech, Premier Makhura further said the province managed to achieve an upswing from 400 to 1 805 township enterprises benefiting from Gauteng procurement spend. The province has a further 5 321 SMMEs on its procurement database. These are startling achievements which should not escape the attention of many.
