Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in townships play a key role in economic growth and job creation in the South African economy. The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), Mogale City and Lepharo have recognised that a significant gap exists in relation to knowledge about establishing and running a successful business that is ready to trade with business South Africa. Focused on ensuring a sustainable programme to enrich the SMMEs and co-operatives in Mogale City, the partnership between the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), Mogale City and Lepharo is actively working to develop and support these enterprises in and around Mogale City to stimulate economic growth.
Since launching the Munsieville Incubation Hub in October 2021, 21 SMMEs and co-operatives have been incubated into the program namely, AkanyangBusiness Solutions, Botha Ke Boko, Bual Trading, Happy Homes Projects
And Services, Khabalefa Holdings, Lee Enterprise, PP TM Construction And Projects, Rula Pallets, Segakweng Supplies and Services, Select Me Engineering, Silver Bridge SA, Tuiko Investment, Zamava Construction and
Projects, Restoration Engineering Projects, Sibokwanda Projects, Monster Bili Construction & IT Solutions, REM Technologies, Siduka Trading and Project, Independent Girls Business Enterprise, Phelwane Construction as
well as Paisa Technology.
The incubates focus on areas such as construction inputs, General Construction, Mining Construction, Alternative Building Materials,Localisation & Import Replacement, Road Building & Tar Manufacturing,Manufacturing & Engineering, Water Management & Plumbing, Bulk Piping, HVAC, Alternative Renewable Energy Source . This has been done to ensure each business owner is well placed to take advantage of the future potential of Mogale City economy. The 21 companies incubated to date had to meet the specifications of being 100% black owned, women owned and youth owned (EME and QSE) of goods and services with the experience and qualifications in the related commodities.
“We are pleased to have seen the 21 SMMEs today making use of the R13million facility that is strategically located to reignite the potential of the heart of the Munsieville community while providing
access to skills and training that will quadruple the size of the community’s economic recovery prospects within 3 years,” says Success Raduba, Centre Coordinator, Lepharo Munsieville.
“Our ongoing efforts to engage and equip and empower the greater Mogale City as we work with our partners, we at Lepharo remain committed to creating an industrial corridor for innovation, partnership, and entrepreneurship as we work to enroll more SMMEs and co-operatives into the programme.”
Serving as a key to a more integrated and inclusive value chain, the game-changing intervention of the Hub is building internal networks of SMME black industrialists that will better service all levels of business in the townships. With many in and around Mogale City actively seeking out economic opportunities, the multidisciplinary approach to creating a new area of black industrialists creates an ecosystem that is indispensable for sustainable shared growth and social cohesion.
“We have seen that township SMMEs face a number of major challenges,including high rates of unemployment (which may influence consumer buying behaviour), along with a lack of finance, training,infrastructure and skills. These challenges may have an impact on the potential success and survival of such enterprises,” explains Mr Zenzo Nkomo, CEO at Lepharo. “It is our ongoing commitment to ensure we support and empower businesses to unlock opportunities for economic growth and job creation.”
