Buddibox grocery delivery programme set to create 10,000 young entrepreneurs in Gauteng

Get ready to have 10 000 young people knocking on your door - but don't worry‚ because they'll be delivering your groceries.

An innovative entrepreneurship project is set to take the hassle out of grocery shopping for township residents‚ by providing retail on wheels.

Buddibox‚ to which the National Youth Development Agency has allocated R9-million over the next three years‚ is a pilot initiative in Ekurhuleni that is providing unemployed matriculants with an opportunity to make some cash.

So far‚ 100 youngsters have signed up for the programme‚ the brainchild of entrepreneurs Isaack Lesole and Azaad Mohammed.

“Buddibox gives retailers and manufacturers the opportunity to deliver household products to greater townships. The service is managed by youth - referred to as 'Buddis' - from within the community. The goal is to have over 2000 youngsters by March and 10 000 in Gauteng by the end of the year‚” said Lesole‚ Buddibox’s CEO.

The young entrepreneurs have already started canvassing township residents. Each Buddi has been allocated 200 households in the areas they reside to target and build a rapport with for repeat orders. Buddis have to have matric certificates and no criminal records to be admitted to the programme.

They will have access to tuk-tuks which will be used to deliver orders from local distribution centres.

The first batch of youngsters who have signed up to be part of the Buddibox entrepreneurial programme being piloted in Ekurhuleni.

Lesole said Buddibox “alleviates time pressure and reliance on public transport by bringing shops right to communities’ doorstep”.

“Any fast-moving consumer goods can be acquired for the family shopping basket - from toiletries to fresh produce. All the transactions will happen via an e-commerce platform. A cashless exchange has been set up using online apps and eWallet‚ thereby ensuring the safety of the Buddi and removing risk‚" he said.

Lesole said orders are already being processed and deliveries are set to commence from the middle of February.

“At this point in the launch phase‚ as part of the skills transfer and to minimize risk‚ Buddibox is procuring good through Pick n Pay online.

“As the programme expands so will the participating manufacturers and service providers‚ ensuring a widest possible basket of choices for consumers.”

Unemployed matriculant Sizakele Mohale‚ who has been admitted to the programme‚ is hoping to understand what it means to be an entrepreneur.

“I am ready to put in hard work so that I can earn a decent income. I believe I can change my future.” – TMG Digital/TimesLIVE