Cape Town - Emerging entrepreneurs from across the Western Cape have taken up shop in the city, showcasing their businesses to the Cape Town market.
Ten small business owners were selected from an applicant pool of 200 to bring their products and services from townships to the city centre.
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The one-year pilot programme by the Western Cape departments of economic development and tourism and transport and public works will cover all rent and utility expenses of the 10 kiosks on the corner of Long and Wale streets in the CBD.
“I never thought I would have a business in town. When I come to the city, I see shops and think ‘someday’. Today my dream has come true,” said Ncobo, 51, who owns Noxy’s Hair-Do in Khayelitsha.
For the first few months, she will sell cosmetics and hair products from her kiosk on Long Street. She hopes to add hair services if the market allows. MEC of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said the programme was “giving a springboard for small businesses”.
“They are going to learn about their businesses in this space, and have to adjust their business models and hours of trade to the clientele,” he said.
Winde said the departments would monitor the success of the businesses and continue the programme for other entrepreneurs if it was economically viable.
The current tenants must, however, move out after a year.
For Department of Coffee co-founder Wongama Baleni, 26, that would hopefully not be a problem. “We are hoping to expand within the city,” the Khayelitsha artisan coffee shop owner said. “We’ve been wanting to start doing business in the city for a while, but the risk of jumping in was too high. Now, government is behind us saying, ‘We’ll cover all expenses. You just sell. You must make this business work.’ It’s exactly what we needed.”
Entrepreneurs are key job creators, Winde said.
“That is why we have invested in initiatives like these, which give small businesses the support they need to take their enterprises to the next level.”
Nolitha Qhuma occupies the first kiosk in the line. Her clothing company, Rea Nubia, is a one-woman operation.
The 26-year-old designs and makes all of her pieces, from necklaces and bags to coats and dresses.
She said she would work alone for at least the first four months while she studied the market, and then hire employees so she could focus on production rather than sales.
“From here, (entrepreneurs) will be able to showcase and sell their goods in one of our region’s most vibrant spaces,” Winde said.
All owners will be selling by the end of this month, but some started today.
The kiosks will trade between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, and between 7am and 2pm over weekends.
CAPE ARGUS