Staff Reporter
The Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) is working with leading retail chain Pick n Pay and financial house ABSA to develop a retail concept expected to promote growth in different townships in the province.
Dubbed the Pick n Pay Market Stores, the concept has been earmarked for Sasolburg, Welkom, Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Virginia.
“This concept combines the support of Pick n Pay’s supply chain with the store owner’s discretion to procure certain locally produced items directly from their own suppliers,” said DESTEA in a statement.
It said those interested in the R4.5 million business investment should be able to prove they are business owners or have a lease for at least 350 square meters of shop floor space.
Individual businesses can potentially create 15 job opportunities.
DESTEA MEC Makalo Mohale said the move follows concerns by local businesses over what they called “hi-jacking” of the township economy.
He said his department had engaged with some of the major retailers on how the situation can be addressed.
“We had to engage with these multinationals to find out how we could loosen their tight grip on the township economy which is effectively throttling and choking some of the traditional township businesses,” said Mohale.
“We have to put brakes on this takeover and return this sector to its rightful owners.”
Applicants to the programme should be entrepreneurs with an identifiable track record and should demonstrate willingness to contribute their skills, time and money into this business.
It is part of the Enterprise Support Programme aimed at ensuring that the local economy remains in the hands of local entrepreneurs.
According to DESTEA, township business ownership by locals has been diminishing over the years due to the influx of big retailers and foreign-owned shops in the townships.
In another initiative, DESTEA has developed a Distribution and Wholesale Programme to promote bulk buying for informal businesses in the townships.