Local is lekker

WE’RE CONSTANTLY told to buy local and that small business should be the backbone of our economy. Yet, there are immense barriers to entry and it is said entrepreneurs often have to withstand 1 000 days before they can see their way to any kind of sustainable business.

But the initiative of entrepreneur, Siyanda Mtulu, with the backing of the Presidency and the National Development Plan, seeks to bring the economy to the township with Ezase Kasi Business Fridays. It’s a simple strategy that asks South Africans to spend their rands in the townships – on locally-made food, clothing and services.

At the launch in Cape Town on Friday, Mtulu introduced the initiative – backed by the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel, Independent Media and Santam Insurance – at a breakfast attended by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, other members of the executive and business with the idea of “dedicating one day a week to drive the economy directly to the townships”.

Mtulu’s initiative will be rolled out with a smartphone app that features listings for businesses in the townships, free advertising for registered township businesses and a live search facility that will lead the user to township businesses near them.

“We are bringing them from their comfort zone to the township every Friday,” Mtulu said.

It need not be a complicated transaction. Mtulu says you can support Business Fridays by filling up your car at a township service station, host corporate lunches at township restaurants or participate in tours run by township tour operators.

RADEBE said at the launch it was heartening South Africa’s youth “do not only ask what can done for them, but effectively chart the way forward for what can be done to extricate our people from the trio challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality”.

The initiative will go a long way to ensure participation of a sector that was historically left out of the economy for generations.

Its job creation potential alone is enough motivation for all South Africans to get behind Ezase-Kasi Business Fridays.