The initiative aimed at accelerating the economy in townships and rural areas through access to opportunity and providing convenience to residents was held at the Songimvelo Nature Reserve on Friday, October 25.

Five pillars define the framework of the initiative namely, the Takealot Delivery Team Last Meter Driver Development Programme, Takealot Personal Shopper Programme, Takealot Township Franchise Development Programme and Takealot Marketplace SMME and Local Industrialisation Programme.

These programmes will offer training to the SMMEs and potential franchisees who will be recruited into the program as drivers and personal shoppers. Training will also be provided for SMMEs looking to showcase and sell their products online.

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Tshepo Marumule from Takealot said that the purpose of the initiative was to change lives and uplift the people of the province.

“This initiative will create access to opportunities and provide convenience. We also want to see progress by uplifting the communities we operate in,” said Marumule.

Pretty Nxumalo a small business owner from Kabokweni who owns an organic plant base hairline brand Sonwa Hair Care, said she was excited about the opportunity presented by the department and Takealot.

Nxumalo said she started the business in 2021 and has been working on establishing a client base and maintaining her craft.

“Marketing has been a challenge. Starting a business is not so difficult but being fully established is the problem. I have registered with Takealot and have undergone training. I can’t wait to expand my business and have enough stock to also expand my client base to across the country and parts of the continent, through the Takealot platform,” said Nxumalo.

MEC for the department, Makhosazane Masilela said that SMMEs are the backbone of development and job creation. She further said that the initiative was going to play a major role in spearheading township economy acceleration in the province.

“This is just a launch. We are going to take the initiative to the different districts in the province to share information with SMMEs so they could make use the opportunities available to them,” said Masilela.
Masilela also encouraged small business owners and unemployed people of the province to register for the program.

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