The township economy remains a powerful and untapped engine of growth, according to Mr. Bheki Maevent Twala, President of TECSA (Township Economy Council of South Africa). Speaking at an event held on 30th April 2026 at Uncle Tom’s Hall in Orlando West, Mr. Twala expressed optimism about the future of township businesses, emphasizing that the right strategies and structures can unlock the full potential of this sector and create meaningful economic opportunities for thousands of South Africans.
Mr. Twala acknowledged that stimulating the township economy does not have to be complicated. The core strategy, he explained, is straightforward: create conditions that consistently bring buyers and sellers together.
This simple but powerful principle, when properly implemented, can drive sustainable economic activity at the grassroots level. However, he was candid about the challenges that have long plagued small businesses in townships. One of the most critical and persistent problems, he noted, is the lack of an effective system to support small businesses. While training programmes have been conducted, access to funding remains far below what is needed to make a real difference on the ground.
“Township economy is not all about spaza shops and taverns. It talks to all sectors — from transport and tourism to retail and service businesses.”— Mr. Bheki Maevent Twala, TECSA President
A key point raised by Mr. Twala was the need to broaden the public’s understanding of what the township economy actually encompasses. Too often, people associate it only with spaza shops and taverns. In reality, the township economy speaks to a wide range of sectors, including transport, tourism, retail, and service-based businesses such as laundry services and recycling operations. This broader perspective is essential to appreciating the true scale of economic activity that takes place in townships every day, as well as the potential that still lies dormant.
To address some of these structural challenges, Mr. Twala announced plans to organize indoor markets as a vehicle for achieving reasonable and consistent sales for township traders. The first of these indoor markets is hosted at Uncle Tom’s Hall in Orlando West, Soweto — the same venue where the April 30th event took place. Importantly, the market operates exclusively during weekends at every month end, making it a regular and anticipated fixture for both traders and shoppers in the community. He expressed strong confidence in this initiative and outlined plans to establish more indoor markets across Soweto in the near future.
The advantage of indoor markets, he explained, is significant — unlike outdoor markets, they are not affected by weather conditions and can operate at night, giving traders more flexibility and customers more convenience.
Business Hubs: A New Home for SMMEs
Complementing Mr. Twala’s vision, Mr. Mangethe, Chairperson of Inkanyeli Developers and Construction Company, presented another innovative solution aimed at uplifting Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) operators. His company has developed the concept of business hubs — user-friendly spaces designed for consultation and manufacturing that cater specifically to the needs of small business operators.
In a creative and cost-effective approach, Inkanyeli has converted shipping containers into functional offices and manufacturing spaces. These business hubs are currently located at the Jabulani Soweto Theatre, where fourteen containers are already ready for occupation. Each unit comes equipped with prepaid water and electricity and is Wi-Fi enabled, making them practical and modern workspaces. They are also easily accessible for both business operators and their customers.
Monthly rentals for these spaces range from R3,000 to R3,500, with pricing varying according to the size of the unit — a relatively affordable option for emerging entrepreneurs looking for a professional base of operations.
Mr. Mangethe revealed that Gauteng Economic Propeller is among their key partners, and together they are developing a long-term funding plan to sustain and grow this initiative. The vision extends well beyond Soweto, with plans to service five regions across Gauteng province. Two to three additional business hubs are planned, and an Orange Farm business hub has already been secured, with construction set to begin soon. Mr. Mangethe concluded by reaffirming their commitment to engaging both government departments and private funders to ensure that small business operators across the province are well accommodated and properly supported.