South African Business 2025

FOCUSGateway to market

FOCUSGateway to market accessUWC and Sanlam have transformed an old Post Officefor community entrepreneurs.Incubator at Sanlam, thanks to the visionary andcollaborative leadership of these two parties.The Incubator will house businesses such asSilulo Ulutho Technologies, Brown Girl Creations andCorpChem Chemicals, each bringing unique productsand services to the community. This collaborationbetween UWC and Sanlam is set to play a pivotal rolein job creation, innovation and community upliftment,marking a significant step towards economicempowerment for township businesses.SMMEs have access to Market Day.How do you leapfrog from a communitybasedoperation to a CBD marketplace?The sustainability of any business is builton the premise of a strong networkand the promise of access to market. Communitybusinesses lack the necessary network connectionsto leverage trade opportunities in the CBD.Market access comes at a premium. We haveall heard the narrative that small businesses are thefuel of the economy, the engine that will revitalisethe economy. The National Development Plan(NDP) envisions a South Africa where small andmedium enterprises (SMMEs) are at the epicentre ofeconomic development.The ailing South African Post Office in Sanlamhofat 4 Strand Street, located next to the SanlamHead Office, served the Bellville and surroundingcommunities for decades. Although there is noreplacement for the fond memories of receivinga handwritten letter or a parcel, the community isnow invited to support a somewhat different service:the University of the Western Cape (UWC) TradingUWC Sanlam partnershipAt the heart of the UWC Sanlam partnership isproviding of hope and a hand-up for SMMEsto remain a beacon of hope for the youth incommunities who aspire to become entrepreneurs.This partnership aligns with UWC motto, "A placeof quality, a place to grow. From hope to actionthrough knowledge".This impactful initiative seeks to provide a solutionto the challenges often faced by SMMEs. In addition tomarket access, it provides businesses affordable tradingspaces, expert coaching and regular networking events,positioning them for long-term success.The University of the Western Cape is committedto building an equitable and dynamic society. Theestablishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurshipand Innovation (CEI) in 2012 was an extension of theUWC mission to contribute to the triple challengesof unemployment, poverty and income inequality.Over a 10-year period the CEI has positioned itselfas an expert provider of cutting-edge businessdevelopment support and customised mentoringand coaching support during and after incubation.The Trading Incubator is unique as the first initiativeof its kind linked to a university solely focussed onproviding a gateway to market access and wraparoundsupport for community SMMEs.Growing an inclusive economyThe Incubator is part of UWC’s broader missionSOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202592

FOCUSto stimulate inclusive economic growth. It targetsfinancial inclusion across gender, race and age, witha special focus on black-owned businesses.Manie Regal, UWC’s executive director offinance, adds: “This Incubator is not just aboutboosting small businesses, it’s about creating apath to economic empowerment for marginalisedcommunities. By giving community businessesaccess to trading spaces in Bellville, we are alsocontributing to the revitalisation of the area,fostering a more inclusive and vibrant economy.”Paul Hanratty, CEO of Sanlam, says, “SMMEs arevital to driving sustainable job creation in SouthAfrica. Through the Incubator, we are not onlyproviding community businesses with access tomarkets but also contributing to the future growthof our economy.”Community entrepreneursThe first cohort consists of nine township-basedbusinesses, of which four are woman-ownedbusinesses. It covers a range of industries such asInternet cafe, African clothing, home decor, fashionaccessories, rustic furniture, beds and biltong. Theentrepreneurs pay a developmental rental of R50per square metre. Since the launch, the residententrepreneurs have exhibited their products at theBellville Business Expo (17-18 October) which washeld at Tygervalley Shopping Centre. They were alsogiven access to Sanlam’s monthly Market Day.Call to actionCorporate South Africa and the public sector needto join forces to ignite a new dawn to restoredignified livelihoods for all South Africans.South Africa needs more incubators linked touniversities if the SMME sector is going to reachits potential in driving job creation and economicgrowth. UWC has built up a blueprint over a decadeto support the growth of both business andpersonal leadership skills of township SMMEs.Sanlam has been generous in its support,providing the facility at zero rental, plus coveringadditional overheads such as monthly security andcleaning costs.Sanlam also covered all the refurbishment costsas well as the painting and branding to creativelyrepurpose the post office. The CEI is responsible forUWC and Sanlam leadership at the launch ofthe initiative on 8 October 2024.managing the Incubator, monitoring and trackingimpact and organising monthly networking sessions.Hanratty adds, “We call on corporate SouthAfrica to join us in supporting SMEs. Through sharedresources, mentorship and access to markets, wecan ensure that our entrepreneurs succeed andcontribute to South Africa’s economic future. Nowis the time for the private sector to step up and bepart of the solution.”ABOUT THE CEIThe CEI specialises in community and youthentrepreneurship projects. Targeted andtransformative projects include the Fellowsleadership and mentoring programme, the MasterBuilders Contractors project and Digital Skills. Youthprojects focus on nurturing the next generationof innovators. As the 2024 Enactus NationalChampions, the Enactus UWC team proudlyrepresented South Africa at the prestigious 2024Enactus World Cup.For more information Klamani@uwc.ac.za93 SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2025