Gauteng Township Food Businesses Create 68 Jobs in Just Four Months; Open New Stores, With Help of Tiger Brands Kokota Growth Programme
Twenty-one township food businesses across Gauteng have created 68 jobs in four months through Tiger Brands’ Kokota Growth Programme, an initiative supporting the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa’s township economy.
Tiger Brands celebrated the entrepreneurs at the start of Entrepreneurship Month this November.
The businesses range from kota vendors and catering services to mobile prepared food operators are part of the Kokota Growth Programme’s second cohort.
It being to 30 the total number of township food businesses supported since its inception earlier this year.
The programme builds on Tiger Brands’ partnership with Albany which is a sponsor of the Kota Festival, where all 21 businesses have traded.
The Kokota Growth Programme equips entrepreneurs with practical skills in food safety, financial management, including pricing, stock control, cash flow and marketing, while supporting them in developing business plans to formalise and grow their operations.
Participants also received equipment and branded marketing materials to strengthen their businesses.
Three of the graduates are preparing to open new stores.
Lehlohonolo Ndlovu of Grinds Kitchen in Kibler Park, Cynthia Phumzile Kunene of Zile Foods in Boksburg and Nthabiseng Kekane of TlouCreatives in Meredale. Ellen Nomsa Radebe of Makhis Fast Food in Diepkloof, Soweto, has also invested in a food truck to expand her business.
“South Africa’s established township food culture presents significant opportunities for entrepreneurship, business growth and job creation.
Through the Kokota Growth Programme, Tiger Brands is building on this potential by equipping township food entrepreneurs with the practical skills and resources to formalise and grow sustainable businesses.
The jobs already created, planned store openings and investments in business expansion demonstrate how targeted support can unlock economic opportunities and contribute to the growth of township economies,” says Maanda Milubi, Director: Enterprise and Supplier Development and Transformation at Tiger Brands.
Tiger Brands will continue supporting the entrepreneurs through mentorship and tailored business development guidance to help sustain their growth.
The Kokota Growth Programme forms part of Tiger Brands’ broader commitment to supporting South Africa’s township economy, estimated to be worth more than R900 billion (Standard Bank Township Economy Report). The company is also expanding its general trade footprint in the township economy, with the ambition of reaching 150,000 stores.
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