Young entrepreneur revitalises inner city

Published Aug 29, 2013

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Johannesburg - From Steve Jobs to Bill Gates, entrepreneurs have one thing in common: they change the world and how we live in it. The Maboneng Precinct in downtown Johannesburg has revolutionised the way citizens see the inner city and Jonathan Liebmann is the catalyst.

Founder of the Maboneng Precinct, Liebmann said the idea came in his restless 20s after returning home from a gap year, when he could not find an “alternative” space to live and work in the city.

In 2009 he started with just one warehouse, which he transformed into the now famous Arts on Main. He saw the need to expand the offering from a niche artist environment to a fully fledged neighbourhood including retail and residential spaces.

Fast forward to 2013 and his property development company, Propertuity, owns 35 buildings and has created a neighbourhood that collectively debunks the myth that the inner city is crime-ridden and uninhabitable.

A distinctive feature of the Maboneng Precinct is that all the shops are small businesses run by entrepreneurs. The space is free from franchises. “As a shopper I’m not interested in buying at chain stores,” Liebmann said. “I’m attracted to independent concepts and independent entrepreneurs.”

Liebmann said there was little trepidation before he started the venture as he said he had honed his entrepreneurial skills from as young as 15 years old. He advises other entrepreneurs to “just go for it, take the risk”.

“South Africa has a low level of entrepreneurship so there are many opportunities,” Liebmann said. “This is a great time to take claim and there is no better time than when you are in your early 20s and you don’t have that many responsibilities.”

Like Liebmann, Nedbank is also a supporter of small businesses through Small Business Friday and seeks to drive awareness of the importance of the role of small business in the South African economy. This year, Small Business Friday falls on September 6, and on this day the public is encouraged to buy from small businesses in their vicinity. - Business Report

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