Programme Director

Premier of the Gauteng Province, Hon. David Makhura

MEC for Finance and e-Governance, Hon. Barbara Creecy

Executive Mayor of West Rand District Municipality, CLLR Boyce Maneli

Mayor for Rand West Municipality, CLLR Mzi Khumalo, MMC for Local Economic Development, CLLR Steve Mazibuko

TIHMC Board members

Group CEO of Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, Mr Saki Zamxaka

CEO of The Innovation Hub, Mr McLean Sibanda

COO of the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, Mr Lebane Maluleke

Distinguished guests

Members of the media

Our drive to grow the Gauteng City Region economy in an equitable and inclusive manner is dependent on the development and promotion of sustainable township enterprises and SMMEs.   As the provincial government of Gauteng we have focused on establishing transformative partnerships with different economic stakeholders, in order to create opportunities for entrepreneurs within the mainstream economy, particularly looking at township economy revitalisation.

An important aspect in helping start-ups to grow and flourish, is establishing a support system and a conducive ecosystem for those with the ambition, tenacity and skills to boldly start their own enterprises.  This includes having seasoned entrepreneurs to act as coaches and mentors for those who are at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey, as well as connecting networks of entrepreneurs so they can share ideas and build each other up. 

Distinguished Guests

For a developing nation, South Africa’s rate of entrepreneurial activity is very low. It has been proven to be true that economies that grow and create meaningful jobs for citizens are those that excel at entrepreneurship and SMME development.  Without entrenching and developing a culture of entrepreneurship amongst our people, we will not be able to overcome the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality that continue to plague our country.

As the government of Gauteng City region  we are committed to radical economic transformation as well as building a modern economy that is highly industrialised., . In the Gauteng Economic Plan that we have developed, there is a specific focus on revitalising the township economy through supporting the development of township enterprises, SMMEs and co-operatives that produce goods and services which address economic and social needs. We want to develop the productive capacity of township enterprises and the township economy. All spheres of the Gauteng government have been collaborating in the provision of training, funding, economic infrastructure and market access for township enterprises.  As we take innovation and services to the people, we are pleased to be officially launching the eKasiLab Mohlakeng, a centre that has been set up to promote the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the township. It is important to highlight that people from townships and peri-urban centres that were historically excluded from fully participating in the mainstream economy now have access to support and development services through our interventions as a government of the people. With the Township Economic Revitalisation strategy, the township economy will soon be fully integrated into the mainstream economy of Gauteng City Region.

The eKasiLab programme, under our Innovation Hub, was established for the purpose of creating vibrant and self-sufficient economic centres. These labs exist as business incubation programmes that provide support services for township entrepreneurs, and are used as a vehicle to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the township.  The Innovation Hub, in partnership with municipalities across the city region has identified key sectors such as: ICT, manufacturing and the green economy amongst others, which will help us achieve the twin objectives of creating decent employment and greater economic industrialisation. The eKasi Lab programme speaks to the revitalisation of the township economy, the idea being to “take innovation to our people”. By providing enterprise and skills development, funding opportunities, market access, mentorship, office space and free Wi-Fi, the township economy is able to thrive and create entrepreneurs that are able to compete. This forms part of the catalytic infrastructure that we are rolling out in order to bring the township economy into the mainstream and give our people opportunities for ownership and control within it.

With the successful launch of eKasiLabs in Soweto and Ga-rankuwa, we saw the opportunity to launch these centres in all five development corridors that make up the city region and it is for this specific reason that we have gathered today to launch the third centre here in Mohlakeng. It is a great privilege to be here today to officially open eKasiLab Mohlakeng in partnership with the Westrand District Municipality and GEP (Gauteng Enterprise Propeller), one of our agencies as provincial government.

To date, there are 19 entrepreneurs who are currently being incubated and developed at eKasiLab Mohlakeng. These Labs focus not only on providing opportunities for talented or promising township based youth entrepreneurs, but also on developing solutions aligned with the e-Government Department’s priorities. They exist to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the township with a specific focus on new innovative output coming out of   communities, in line with township economy revitalisation. We want to see this facility contributing to local economic development through the incubation and development of vibrant, innovative, cutting edge enterprises that will create jobs and offer a better quality of life to our people. Thank you.