Township entrepreneurs defy the odds to build businesses in Gauteng

Establishing a business in the township and maintaining it has been a challenge for budding entrepreneurs in Gauteng. However some young entrepreneurs are striving against all odds – not only to establish and build their own brands, but to also employ those in their communities.

While some residents of Riverpark, north of Johannesburg, have opted to run salons, backroom rentals, spaza shops, and liquor outlets, there are small businesses that have brought hope to the local community.

Bongani, widely also known as Bringo, is employed at Gentlemen’s Hangout. In addition to the washing of cars, he has gained insight into the running of his own business.

“I work here at the car wash – the car wash has helped us so much and we have let go of the outside hectic life or social ills and we are not focused. It has helped a lot and has helped us even establish our own businesses.”

At a nearby RiverPark Cafe, 36-year-old Ziyanda Mbele works as a waitress – a job she cherishes due to the high unemployment rate.

“Nowadays it’s hard to find a job. But since I’ve been here I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that if you are a hard worker, you can go far. It really helped me to be here and now I can support my family and my children. I really want to be an example. In the future, I also want my own thing so that I can create job opportunities for other young black youths.”

Vendors occupy street corners while it seems to be easy to find a car mechanic – the obvious choice of business, in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni – is a bakery – bringing fresh bread daily to the community for just R10 a loaf.

From mixing cement at construction sites to mixing dough at the bakery, businessman Mandla Khumalo says it is all about versatility nowadays.

“You need to have the skill. For me, I was lucky with Family Tree and they took me to school. So now I can bake bread, cakes, rolls and pizza.”

It’s impossible to ignore the trucks from the big bread companies delivering bread to the township – but Khumalo says his fresh bread offers better value for money.

“I have a good relationship with the community. Those trucks that come here from the suburbs to deliver bread are expensive. Our economy is bad now and people would rather go for R10 bread. The economy is bad. People are suffering, there is no work. With the support of the community, I have employed two ladies and paid them monthly. They are local ladies, born and raised in Tembisa.”

For Khauhelo Lefoka from Katlehong on Gauteng’s Eastrand, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to think outside the box resulting in the birth of Moghurt dairy products.

“South Africans are very loyal to the brand. It’s not necessarily redtapes. These are there to protect the business and the consumer as well, food can get contaminated. We need to consume things that are healthy. One of our biggest challenges is fear. Just go out there and the world awaits you.”

While still trying to go mainstream and recognised by the retail giants, the plan is to employ people and build a brand that their own communities and the country as a whole – can be proud of.