Sandiso Phaliso
AN OLD cement factory in Philippi has undergone a multimillion-rand transformation that will over the next few years include a four-storey hotel, a nightclub, a private hospital and a training facility for entrepreneurs.
The factory was initially purchased by The Business Place Philippi in 2000 as part of a vision to transform the marginalised area into a thriving suburb.
The Bertha Foundation and the Jobs Fund together invested R80 million for the construction of the new business hub which has been welcomed by entrepreneurs in and around Philippi.
Plans for a private hospital have already been approved, while an 84-bed hotel will be built over the next two years.
The transformed complex, which had initially been called Philippi Village, was launched as The Hub yesterday.
Donny Nadison, chairperson of The Business Place Philippi, described the road to the launch as long and hard.
“The kind of entrepreneurs we want to develop are caring entrepreneurs who are not profit-minded,” he said.
“Doors are open to anyone who wants to open a business,” said Nadison.
Amor Strauss, general manager of The Hub, said: “We wanted it to be an interesting space, built primarily for the locals, but also one which others can visit, utilise and enjoy.
“We’re looking to stimulate the local economy and see a reduction of daily migratory patterns, with more cash recycled within the community.”
The Hub compromises a call centre, stalls for vendors, conference spaces, reception services, an eatery, personal storage areas, cleaning and utilities, and meeting amenities.
Functions and events can also be catered for on the premises. An on-site crèche is already open to accommodate working parents, and a college also operates from the premises.
A City library located at Crossroads will soon relocate to the building’s ground floor.
Strauss said 250 people applied to rent the 24 remodelled containers being let out in the initial pilot phase.
In phase one, 54 rental opportunities attracted huge interest.
Phase two is being launched later this month.
Luvuyo Rani, of Silulo Ulutho, a company that offers computer training and repairs in the province, said at the launch that he first ventured into entrepreneurship while he was an accounting and business teacher at a school in Khayelitsha.
He said he quit his teaching job and started selling computers full time from the boot of his car.
“They told me I was mad resigning from my teaching job,” he said.
“Seeing that this is happening gives me hope because there were many entrepreneurs who were still operating from backyards.
“Here, we are paying much less than we pay at the shopping malls.”