Isaac Moledi

Isaac Moledi

Small, medium and micro enterprises in certain townships around Gauteng may receive a financial boost of up to R250000 to revamp their ailing businesses.

The scheme, called the Provincial 20 Priority Townships Programme, was launched recently by Gauteng Enterprise Propeller in partnership with the province's department of finance and economic affairs.

GEP is an agency established to help promote and develop the SMMEs in Gauteng.

But the businesses to be assisted are expected to be viable, South African-owned, and be located in certain Gauteng metro townships.

The townships are Daveyton, Duduza, Katlehong, KwaThema, Tembisa, Tsakane, and Wattvile in Ekurhuleni, and Boipatong, Bophelong, Ratanda, Sebokeng, and Sharpeville.

Only two townships in Soweto, Orlando and Zola, are currently covered, while Kagiso, Mohlakeng and Munsieville on the West Rand as well as Atteridgeville-Saulsville, Mamelodi, Soshanguve fall under the programme.

David Morobe, chief executive of GEP, says many entrepreneurs and budding businesspeople may have the desire and the innate ability to succeed, but lack the fundamental business skills, opportunity and support.

The programme will try to meet this challenge by supporting and providing a one-stop service to SMMEs to ensure their sustainability, said Morobe.

The pilot programme started in Daveyton in August last year and has seen entrepreneur Melta Ubisi, together with her three partners, Phumzile Maseko, Jeanette Dhlamini and Agnes Ndlangamandla, benefiting.

This is after their investment of R97000 from their stokvel savings and an additional R26000 to establish a bakery business did not suffice to sustain the business.

Morobe says GEP injected finance into the four women's Khuphukani Bakery to help in its expansion programme.