IOL partners with Township Economy Awards to put spotlight on township entrepreneurs

IOL has partnered with the Township Economy Awards & Summit to shine a light on township entrepreneurs and their role in South Africa's economy. This comes as the country grapples with high unemployment and the need to create more opportunities for small businesses. IOL Editor Lance Witten emphasized the importance of recognizing township economies, which are often overlooked but contribute significantly to job creation and innovation.

The partnership will see IOL cover the TEAS, held in Tembisa from November 19 to 21, with reports on the summit's discussions and the unveiling of award winners. The organizers aim to give township businesses greater visibility among potential customers, corporate buyers, and investors. Bulelani Balabala, founder of the awards, noted that national media exposure is crucial for township entrepreneurs to attract customers, buyers, and funders.

The summit, themed "An Inclusive Economic Future: The Digital Edition," will feature discussions on technology, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and the green economy, with a focus on practical issues such as securing contracts, reaching new customers, accessing finance, and utilizing digital tools. The third annual awards, taking place on November 21, will recognize entrepreneurs and businesses in 14 categories, including special honours.

IOL joins a coalition of 28 partners supporting the event, including Nedbank, Shop2Shop, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, Tiger Brands, and Lenmed. The broader Township Entrepreneurs Agency (TEA) ecosystem, present in all nine provinces, has impacted over 100,000 township entrepreneurs through business development and access-to-opportunity initiatives.