ACCORDING to a study township’s economy contribute billions into the GDP of SA yet unemployment and other socio conditions continue to stall tangible developments.
Despite all these challenges Kasi businesses strive to offer world class goods and services be it spaza shops, shisa-nyama, hair- salons, car washes, eateries, magwenya (fat cakes), barber-shops or sneaker outlets and others.
Through development and investment in these enterprises such as DJ’s Sbu- MoFaya; Bathu and Drip, as well as denim brand TSHEPO Jeans; Bathu founder Theo Baloyi (opened his 31st local retail outlet) and Rita Zwane, owner of Imbizo Shisanyama Franchises, these are good stories to tell- yet it was never an easy passage, as red- tapes are the cause of the growth.
World’s top selling beer Castle Lager- through its #ItsWithin campaign (launched in Tembisa), seeks to revive, create and sustain jobs in locations- where it operates its business mainly.
The entrepreneurial drive of the kasi business owners has resulted in the growth of entrepreneurship in the Kasi economy. These businesses are not only playing a vital role in assisting to tackle the country’s unemployment crisis, but they are also paying it forward, since many businesses use community members as partners or suppliers.
“Through our recently launched #ItsWithin campaign, the Castle Lager brand will be contributing towards beautifying Johannesburg and uplifting local businesses to the benefit of the township economy – all while paying tribute to South African communities.
Investing in these businesses could offer the solution to a crisis that is currently at its precipice in our country, namely that of unemployment, since this kind of local investment can provide entrepreneurs with the platform, they need to bring more opportunities to the areas that they operate in, while enabling them to provide a livelihood for themselves and others,” explains Castle Lager Brand Director, Wendy Bedforth.
Local Spaza shops contribute a whopping 5.2% to South Africa’s GDP, while employing 2.6 million South Africans, according to the 2021 South African Township Marketing Report published by RogerWilco.
The offerings (products and services) of many of these businesses go on to become renowned brands within the national and international arenas, as mentioned above.
Township economy is worth more than R400 billion. There is a massive opportunity to unlock the potential for these businesses to grow so that they become instrumental in helping to create more local job opportunities and contribute more meaningfully to the economy.
Zwane, highlighted the importance of supporting these kasi businesses through her journey to
entrepreneurial greatness that started with humble beginnings 25 years ago: “Imbizo Shisanyama (then called Busy Corner) was established a quarter century ago and grew exponentially thanks to the support of the community of Tembisa, as customers and community members went out and spread its story and quality offerings through word of mouth.”
Zwane adds that: “Our success feels great, especially when you see mothers that you had empowered along the way through your proudly South African township business; supply you with items such as chakalaka or dumplings.
Links such as these over time form into a Shisa Nyama ecosystem whereby you have many businesses around your own like a car wash or hairsalon,” she says.
The Castle Lager #itswithin campaign will support these township businesses that enables that fire to spark and light up mzansi with optimism and belief in a better and more prosperous tomorrow, says Bedforth.
Contributing billions into the GPD of mzansi by community enterprises- should equate to economical parity in locations, finish & klaar!
Image (Castle Lager’s Brand Director, Wendy Bedforth, DJ Sbu and Imbizo Shisa-nyama founder Rita Zwane at the launch held in Tembisa).
