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Eastern Cape Business 2022-23

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Coca-Cola Beverages

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa is creating employment and stimulating economic growth Bizniz in a Box is building an ecosystem of viable micro-businesses. A number of small business owners in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape are ready to take their ventures to the next level after they were selected to be part of the Bizniz in a Box (BiB) initiative which seeks to empower township and rural entrepreneurs as part of building a more inclusive economy. Entrepreneurs in and around the Mdantsane taxi rank have taken ownership of their containers which have been fully customised and fitted out with kitchens. The business owners also received tables, coolers and start-up stock, as well as dust coats, aprons and Covid-19 PPE. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) sees BiB as the ideal platform to support emerging and small businesses, particularly those run by young people and women. The BiB programme further offers the opportunity to learn business skills. Bizniz in a Box envisages an ecosystem of viable micro-businesses offering complementary products and services in township communities, alongside the local spaza shop, covering a range of services, from business centres providing Internet access, car washes, fast-food shops or mini bakeries. Critical to growth Sakhumzi Ncapayi, the CCBSA District Manager, says, “We understand how critical the SMME sector is to our economic revival following the Covid-19 pandemic, and the important role small businesses will play in the future growth of South Africa and Africa.” Bizniz in a Box was first piloted in 2015 in the Free State. By the end of 2020, through Bizniz in a Box, CCBSA and its partners had trained 749 young entrepreneurs and helped 224 of them to take their businesses to the next level, creating 185 additional jobs by employing shop assistants. Beneficiary Siyamthanda Soxusa, 26, says of her fast foods take-away business, “Bizniz in a Box means so much to me because before I was working in a small container. I bought stock every day and ended with minimal profit. With this initiative, everything is convenient and I can see the growth in my business.” Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said at the launch, “We are delighted that the Bizniz in a Box programme has reached Mdantsane and we believe that this empowerment initiative will lead to the transformation of not only this area, but the lives of our people.” Top left: Siyamthanda Soxusa is seeing growth in her business. Bottom left: Anda Mabamba, 35, in front of fast food outlet Zoe’s Kitchen, which is now run as part of Bizniz in a Box. Right : Nolubabalo Katshwa, 50, is one of the beneficiaries of CCBSA’s Bizniz in a Box programme. EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23 44

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