The second eKasi Business Expo was held at Bridge City Shopping Centre, bringing together entrepreneurs from Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu with government departments and development agencies. This two-day event provided small businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and services while engaging directly with organisations offering business development, training and funding support. The expo was hosted by the Icebolethu Foundation in partnership with several organisations.
For many township entrepreneurs, having a business is not the biggest challenge, but getting access to finance, markets and the support needed to keep it going is. The expo aimed to connect entrepreneurs with existing programmes rather than simply provide them with a platform to sell their products. This initiative follows the foundation’s first eKasi Business Expo in Hammarsdale earlier this year, which linked entrepreneurs to training and incubation programmes.
At the Hammarsdale event, entrepreneurs were linked to NYDA training and incubation programmes, while qualifying businesses accessed grant funding of up to R50 000 through EDTEA. The experience highlighted the need to take business development opportunities directly into communities. The focus in INK was on giving entrepreneurs access to institutions that could assist them beyond the exhibition.
Icebolethu Group chief executive Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo said the Hammarsdale experience had highlighted the need to take business development opportunities directly into communities. Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Rev Musa Zondi said township businesses needed access to skills, networks and funding if they were to contribute to job creation and the wider economy.
MEC Rev Musa Zondi said partnerships between government, the private sector and development agencies could help township businesses overcome some of the barriers to growth. The eKasi Business Expo is a practical demonstration of the commitment to building inclusive economic growth by taking opportunities directly to communities.
The expo also provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to establish contacts with potential support organisations and to understand the requirements for accessing available programmes. Organisers said qualifying businesses would continue to receive support after the expo through training, incubation and access to possible funding.
The INK event forms part of the foundation’s wider eKasi Business Expo programme, with the focus now shifting from simply showcasing township businesses to linking them with the institutions and resources needed to sustain and grow them. The initiative aims to support township businesses in overcoming hurdles to growth, particularly access to finance.
Key points
- The eKasi Business Expo connects township entrepreneurs with organisations offering business development, training and funding support.
- The expo provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to establish contacts with potential support organisations and understand the requirements for accessing available programmes.
- Qualifying businesses would continue to receive support after the expo through training, incubation and access to possible funding.
