TOWNSHIP communities need to be empowered to develop their own economies so they can set up and sustain small businesses, said Thami Mazwai, director of the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Small Business Development (CSBD).
I found this in today's Business Day. This is typcial of Thami Mazwai's sentiment on empowerment. He is part of that school that doesn't want 25% of an established company - he advocates 100% black ownership of a competitor to that company. And he has my full support in this.
I wrote about Mazwai before. And I am so pleased to see that he is starting to lay the foundation for this plan. His position as director of the Centre for Small Business Development at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus puts him in the perfect place to start effecting this.
Mazwai is advocating township people supporting their local businesses and not heading into Sandton or town (or any other main CBD) for their purchases. It is a noble idea and with the correct support from ED funds it can certainly happen. There has to be a benefit for some companies helping develop small township based businesses - these guys could open up new markets for you. Nestle has done it quite successfully.
There was a programme in the US (Chicago) where a couple decided to only support black businesses for a year.
I think that if you do not have a structured ED policy you would do well to contact Thami at UJ, I am sure he will put your ED ZARs to good use.
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