NALEDI MODISE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A TOWNSHIP entrepreneurs have over the years struggled for the same opportunities than their counterparts in the metropolitan areas.

Thanks to an initiative by the Innovation Hub, this divide is set to be a thing of the past.

In a bid to empower township entrepreneurs, through its eKasi Labs programme, the hub is hosting entrepreneurs’ 4 day boot camps .

The entrepreneurs’ boot camps have been held in Alexandra, Garankuwa, Soweto and Tembisa and with the aim of empowering over 100 township-based enterprises, cooperatives and small and medium size enterprises.

Each boot camp is hosted for a full day where entrepreneurs are taught how to base their businesses using the Business Model Canvas; they are trained on how to pitch their idea to potential investors and they have the opportunity to be incubated through Maxum – the Innovation Hub’s business incubator.

Entrepreneurs will have access to markets, intellectual property advice, funding, mentorship and networking opportunities.

The programme was first piloted with the City of Tshwane and eKasi Labs programme has proved to be successful in Garankuwa and Soweto where entrepreneurs were given hope and relevant tools to refine their business ideas and their existing business a boost.

The boot camps follow the realisation businesses in the townships have to cater to the challenges in their respective communities and be sustainable globally competitive enterprises.

It is envisaged empowering township entrepreneurs will create decent employment for citizens in their own areas and empower the entrepreneurs willing to take the step in developing the local economy.

Announcing his State of the Province Address in February, Premier David Makhura mentioned such programmes as eKasi Labs programme, highlighting the need to empower youth through entrepreneurial opportunities.

Gauteng government intends to maintain the province as the industrial hub of South Africa and revitalising the township economy has been pinpointed as one of the ways in which this will succeed.

Located in Pretoria, the Innovation Hub is sub-Saharan Africa’s first internationally accredited and leading science and technology park.

Established by the provincial government in 2001, it has created initiatives that support innovation and enterprise development.