City to upgrade infrastructure to support the township economy

STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS

The township business ecosystem is a significant contributor to Cape Town’s broader economy. As such, the City is committed to providing the right conditions needed to grow our township businesses and create more jobs where people live. It is for this reason that, through the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department (E&I), we will be investing in the upgrade of key electricity infrastructure in Gugulethu and Langa, to enable economic opportunities in these areas. Read more below:

As a testament to the City’s commitment to boost township economies, the E&I department will be funding the upgrade of electrical connections to three-phase electricity, at three business sites in Gugulethu and Langa to support the operation of large machinery such as fridges. Last week, as the final step in the process, full Council approved the funding.

Today, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos together with the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti, visited the Nabe and Tembi market stores in Langa, two of the businesses who will be benefitting from this initiative.

‘I am very pleased that this report has been approved and that once this project has been completed, more businesses in Gugulethu and Langa will be able to operate the machinery they need to succeed and expand, while creating job opportunities.

‘This upgrade forms part of a private and public sector partnership to achieve greater economic growth in our township economies. Previous upgrades to three-phase electricity of two market stores contributed to the creation of 43 job opportunities. The approval for the upgrade of a further three sites will therefore also contribute to growing the business ecosystem, leading to further job opportunities where people live,’ said Alderman Vos.

‘Historically, infrastructure in township environments has not been able to support the operation of large machinery and equipment, and therefore the growth of businesses in these areas. The upgrade to the electrical connections is required to power large motors, refrigerators, ovens and other machinery, therefore allowing for the expansion of business operations,’ said Councillor Maxiti.

Pick n Pay has come on board, working with the E&I Department, private sector funders and the Western Cape Government to design commercially sound neighbourhood convenience stores, as part of a broader township revitalisation strategy.

‘To support SMMEs, through the City’s Business Hub, the E&I Department also runs supplier development workshops to provide business training and support. For more information please contact the Business Hub on 021 417 4043, or email at Business.support@capetown.gov.za