One of the most popular African proverbs says that if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. These wise words reflect the mentality that drives AlexBiz, a group of entrepreneurs from the township commonly known by locals as Gomora.

By Spot-On June 2022

We wanted to take away the responsibility of growing our businesses from government and other business hubs. We are therefore inviting people into our space - access to market opportunities, funding, training, and more," Thabiso Sebata, chairperson of AlexBiz, tells Spot-On. Together with Sihle Mooi, former CEO of non-profit organisation Rays of Hope, Sebata founded the organisation in 2019.

"[Sihle] was approached by Ikhokha to help them get Alex businesses who would like free swiping machines. [He] then approached me because I work with a lot of start-ups under my business Start Media, which helps [them] get marketing materials designed," says Sebata. The two managed to get about at least 20 business and entrepreneurs in one room.

"Then after this meeting was done, we had to decide if we are closing the WhatsApp group or continuing to work with the businesses to connect them to more opportunities. We decided to keep going and see how far this will go - we are now sitting at 200+ businesses in our WhatsApp group."

AlexBiz Team from left to right: Phindile Mabunda, Patience Tshabalala, Siyanda Luzipo, Mary-Ann Boroko, Nthabiseng Seleke and Thabiso Sebata

IT'S COME A LONG WAY

It has been three years since that eventful day and plenty of other businesses have benefited from this united front of entrepreneurs in Alexandra. There are a diverse group of directors in the organisation today, which include Bridgette Mogoboya, Nthabiseng Seleke, Mary-Ann Boroko, Siyanda Luzipo, Patience Tshabalala and Phindile Mabunda. There is no fee required for businesses to be part of AlexBiz. "We are all in business and volunteer our time to run AlexBiz," he says. "Once a month, we have training and we host networking events every two months. If there is an urgent call for an opportunity, we would invite people to come to meet with us to apply."

Training, workshops and networking events take place through AlexBiz

Thabiso Sebata, co-founder of Alexbiz

AlexBiz is also affiliated with Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the reduction of youth unemployment in South Africa by tackling the socio- economic drivers that make it difficult for young people to access the economy as productive citizens.

"To date, we have helped over 100 businesses to get funding. We have built relationships with Sandton businesses and continue to find opportunities for Alex to work with Sandton," states Sebata.

"Alex is diverse, and its people are very resilient. Alex is unique, and has a vibrant culture, with impromptu restaurants and entertainment centres popping up on street corners all over the township. Alex has got a lot of talent!""

TAPPING INTO SANDTON

The proximity of Alexandra to Sandton is always brought up whenever people make a point of the inequality of the two adjacent places. Alexandra is one of the most densely populated areas in the country, where residents are battling social ills such as poverty and unemployment - while Africa's richest square mile is located just a few kilometres away in Sandton.

"Currently, we have nine fashion designers showcasing their work in Sandton for a whole month. We also have another nine businesses receiving mentorship for one year from Pernod Ricard South Africa. We are definitely reaching our goal," Sebata says with pride.

TOWNSHIP TRUTHS

Running a business in the township is challenging in itself and having to run one in a place like Alex comes with some unique obstacles. "Space is an issue, so having your own shop or business premises comes with its own limitations, like electricity and water, parking, crime and pollution.

"We also struggle with the fact that people expect your service and product to be cheaper just because you are from a township. You have to really educate people to buy something new - people like familiar things," Sebata says.

The effects of Covid-19 were felt by just about everyone. Many businesses were forced to close shop or let some of their staff go because they couldn't stay afloat through the hard lockdowns. But Sebata says he isn't aware of any businesses in their group having to close their doors because of Covid. "Not that we know of. The people of Alex are resilient and we still push to grow every day."

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

In April, Gauteng Premier David Makhura signed the much anticipated Township Economic Bill into law, legislating the Gauteng Township Economic Development Act (No. 2 of 2022). This move is the first of its kind in South Africa and is expected to make things easier for township businesses to operate, assisting them with permitting issues as well as challenges such as harassment by Metro Police for non-compliance with existing by-laws.

Sebata was unaware of the new Act when SpotOn asked him, opting for a broader response. "We welcome any intervention that government would like to bring in our community. We have not really read up fully on the bill but believe that, because we have created an open group, a lot of the businesses in our group share opportunities they hear about," he said.

The new Act provides a regulatory framework that makes it possible for entrepreneurs living in townships to establish viable and thriving businesses, small enterprises and cooperatives in a less bureaucratic environment, making it easy to climb the economic ladder. It introduces an enabling framework to ensure that townshipbased retail malls and supermarkets partner with local service providers and manufacturers in sourcing products.

Despite all the ups and downs, Sebata believes Alexandra is a special place. "Alex is diverse, and its people are very resilient. Alex is unique, and has a vibrant culture, with impromptu restaurants and entertainment centres popping up on street corners all over the township. Alex has got a lot of talent!"