The Competition Commission’s Cost of Living Report highlights the severe pressure South African households face, with township entrepreneurs experiencing the hardest blow. Rising food, energy, transport, and education costs not only erode family budgets but also undermine small business survival. Township businesses face a double burden: shrinking consumer spending and escalating operating expenses, creating a cycle that stifles growth and innovation. The Township Entrepreneurs Agency (TEA) calls for urgent reforms—fair pricing, affordable utilities, and stronger support systems—to unlock the township economy’s potential. As TEA prepares for the 7th Annual National Township Economy Summit 2025 under the theme Inclusive Economic Future, the focus turns to building resilience, equity, and opportunity for South Africa’s most dynamic but vulnerable economic sector.
Tag: township economy
10 Years of Impacting Township Entrepreneurs
The Kasi Business Workshop, founded in 2015 by Bulelani Balabala, celebrates a decade of transforming South Africa’s township economy. Over 100,000 entrepreneurs have been supported, contributing to more than 400,000 jobs, with a global footprint in 34 countries. Through initiatives like the Kasi Pitching Challenge, Networking Pods, Mbawula Chats, Masterclasses, and the Kasi Business Exhibition, the movement fosters collaboration, skills development, funding access, and market opportunities for township businesses. Now in its 10th year, the Workshop continues to serve as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.