City of Joburg steps up efforts to revive township economies

04 May 2016 - 15:48 By Penwell Dlamini

The City of Johannesburg is intensifying its efforts to revive township economies in order to fight unemployment and poverty. Presenting his state of the city address at a council meeting sitting in Turffontein‚ Tau said the city was developing the next generation of green industrialists through the Green City Start Ups Challenge.“We have already supported 10 entrepreneurs that have developed and patented new green technologies in the City of Johannesburg. We are financing and incubating ICT innovations in partnership with Wits University. Through this we support the development of new digital applications and award cash grants to the winners.“A total of 20 finalists were given support to develop their digital businesses within the first year of the programme in 2015. We have a second year intake currently taking place. These are almost 50 enterprises directly supported and funded by the city‚” Tau said.The city was working with retailer Massmart‚ car manufacturer VW and Tsogo Sun to build small businesses that could be integrated into their supply chain.As part of its Jozi At Work programme that was being rolled out‚ it was also receiving support from Avis. “A total of 16 township auto mechanics and specialists are being developed to service the city's fleet. They will be in the township servicing JMPD‚ EMS ….This is how we play our role of democratising the township economy as part of our Premier David Makhura‚” Tau said.“With 10‚000 people coming to Johannesburg every month‚ the city faces a serious challenge of unemployment‚ which has forced us to develop new ways of creating jobs and fighting youth unemployment.”..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.