Gauteng Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Lebogang Maile will officially launch the eKasiLab Sebokeng incubation facility at Sebokeng on Thursday, 21 June 2018. This is a joint initiative of The Innovation Hub, an agency of Gauteng Department of Economic Development, and the Vaal University Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park.
A vehicle for the promotion of the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the townships, the eKasiLabs programme supports entrepreneurs in the Smart Industry (ICT and advanced manufacturing), Green Economy, Bio-economy and Creative Industries. The vision behind eKasiLabs is to take innovation to the people by establishing co-creation and innovation spaces in the townships, thereby giving local communities access to the same services and facilities that are offered at The Innovation Hub in Lynnwood, Tshwane.
The eKasiLab programme responds to the low rate of entrepreneurship, most especially among Gauteng-based township entrepreneurs. The programme aims to combat the lack of access to resources and essential business development skills.
There are ten eKasiLabs facilities currently operating in the Gauteng province—they are in Soweto, Garankuwa, Mohlakeng, Sebokeng, Mamelodi, Tembisa, Mabopane, Kathorus, Kagiso and Alexandra.
To date, 33 start-up companies have been incubated in the ICT, Green Economy and Manufacturing sectors at the Sebokeng facility.
Central to the functions of the EkasiLab programme is the provision of opportunities to talented township -based entrepreneurs, the development of solutions aligned with the eGovernment Department’s priorities, as well as to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the township, with specific focus on innovative outputs in the community.
Details of the launch are as follows:
Venue: VUT Southern Gauteng Science Park, 5 Moshoeshoe Road, Sebokeng,
Date: Thursday, 21 June 2018
Time: 10h00 for 10h30
RSVP: Pulane Mpondo by Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Tel: (012) 844 0076/30
Mobile: 083 4007586
