Spotlight on township businesses

Entrepreneurship awards kick off

The Gauteng department of economic development yesterday launched the third annual Township Entrepreneurship Awards in Soweto.

MEC Lebogang Maile said the initiative was meant to celebrate, recognise and reward entrepreneurial talent in the townships.

He said the awards were aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the province, and opening up the market to aspiring entrepreneurs.

“It’s important that both government and the private sector businesses begin to truly recognise the value that township entrepreneurs can add in the broader business space and to tap into these resources and skills to support and grow township entrepreneurs,” said Maile.

The awards consist of various categories: food and beverages; creative industries; tourism; retail and finance; services; manufacturing; agribusiness; transport; automotive and components; construction; building and real estate; social and community, and new/start-up enterprises.

Others are: entrepreneur with a disability; youth entrepreneur of the year; woman entrepreneur of the year; entrepreneur of the year; and a lifetime achievement award.

Maile said it was important for the youth to be involved in entrepreneurship-related fields if unemployment was to be eradicated.

“The GDED [department] recognises entrepreneurship as one of the enablers for the Gauteng city region to make considerable inroads in tackling unemployment,” he said.