TECH TO RESOLVE INEQUALITY

Most people who were raised in family businesses feel comfortable transitioning from the traditional 9-to-5 grind to running their businesses. Therefore, Tony Lobese has no problem running a business. His parents owned a coal business and a general dealer (spaza shop), where they sold groceries to residents in Winterveld, Pretoria. The 13-year-old was already flexing his entrepreneurial muscles by helping in a family business. Later, he qualified with an auditing qualification and worked for the Auditor General, SARS, and Shell.

When Lobese saw a need for economic support within his community, he formed EESUp – an application aiming to tackle poverty and inequality in South African townships. He aims to generate income and promote wealth by partnering with grocery stores, and small businesses. His mission is to empower those around him by providing them access to resources they may not have had before. Here is the interview TransformSA conducted with Tony:

How did you get into business and what is your career background?

In 2009, I started several ventures under the banner of Sugarhill Corporation (Pty) Ltd, which included operating a pub, manufacturing cosmetics products, providing accounting services, and working with a start-up rescuing failing petrol service stations. From 2012 I worked as a business coach, working with start-ups and medium companies, including contracting for Awethu Project and Siyakha Implementation Partners in 2018. producing assets in their neighbourhoods thus reducing the amounts of profits that are currently being exported out of townships. We:

I had been mulling over the idea of harnessing the collective purchasing power of the township populations since 2001. Phillip’s inspiration stemmed from a visit to Alexandra township in 2012, wherein he experienced the daily difficulties experienced by the biggest portion of the SA population. So collectively, we have been bugged by the issue of inequality in SA for over 30 years.

1. Find the lowest prices on products

2. Cashback of 25% on consumer purchases.

3. Provide consumers and the community with a profit of approximately 20%.

4. Wealth wallets receive 20% of consumers’ profits.

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How do you view transformation and economic empowerment?

Transformation and empowerment are crucial in addressing the imbalances of the past. To transform and empower themselves, communities need to assess what they have at their disposal. With EESUp, communities can claim approximately 20% of their grocery spend and empower themselves and their communities.

How do you envision South Africa in the next 5 years?

We envision a South Africa where the lives of the bottom 50% of the population have improved immensely, we’re going to bed hungry is a distant memory, and where the marginalised own income-

5. Profits are channelled into incomegenerating activities to the tune of 50%.

6. Consumers’ Social Wallets will receive 5% of profits.

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We face high unemployment as a country, how is your company addressing this issue?

With its unique model, the EESUp application creates opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Through the EESUp operations fund and entrepreneurship in the townships, we will create jobs within our value chain by allocating 15% and 25% of profits from consumers’ purchases.