The Gauteng Provincial Government has committed to giving qualifying township-based businesses all contracts under R500 000.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development Lebogang Maile said the provincial government had taken a decision that 30% of its budget will be spent on township entrepreneurs.
He said this in Ivory Park during the launch of the Qondis’ ishishini lakho (fix your business) campaign on Wednesday.
The campaign is aimed at registering 10 000 township small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) with a turnover of less than R1 million.
The provincial Department of Economic Development has enlisted the help of 1000 volunteers to assist township business owners register their businesses.
MEC Maile said government wanted to give business to people who are committed entrepreneurs as they in turn create jobs.
He said almost 300 township businesses in construction and maintenance are currently providing services in public buildings, schools, hospitals and police stations.
“This government is determined to demonstrate that our actions regarding the township economy matches our words,” he said.
“This government takes the mission to revitalise township economies very seriously,” he said.
The Qondis’ ishishini lakho campaign is also aimed at changing perceptions about business registration and awakening township businesses to the benefits of business formalisation such as opportunities for funding, credit lending and greater market access.
The campaign brings together various government agencies that deal with taxation, registration, funding, water and electricity as well as liquor licenses under one roof to provide immediate onsite assistance to businesses across Gauteng townships.
