Twenty-one township food businesses across Gauteng have created 68 jobs in four months through Tiger Brands’ Kokota Growth Programme, an initiative supporting the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa’s township economy.
Tiger Brands celebrated the entrepreneurs at the start of Entrepreneurship Month this November. The businesses range from kota vendors and catering services to mobile prepared food operators are part of the Kokota Growth Programme’s second cohort. It being to 30 the total number of township food businesses supported since its inception earlier this year.
The programme builds on Tiger Brands’ partnership with Albany which is a sponsor of the Kota Festival, where all 21 businesses have traded.
The Kokota Growth Programme equips entrepreneurs with practical skills in food safety, financial management, including pricing, stock control, cash flow and marketing, while supporting them in developing business plans to formalise and grow their operations. Participants also received equipment and branded marketing materials to strengthen their businesses.
Three of the graduates are preparing to open new stores. Lehlohonolo Ndlovu of Grinds Kitchen in Kibler Park, Cynthia Phumzile Kunene of Zile Foods in Boksburg and Nthabiseng Kekane of TlouCreatives in Meredale. Ellen Nomsa Radebe of Makhis Fast Food in Diepkloof, Soweto, has also invested in a food truck to expand her business.
“South Africa’s established township food culture presents significant opportunities for entrepreneurship, business growth and job creation. Through the Kokota Growth Programme, Tiger Brands is building on this potential by equipping township food entrepreneurs with the practical skills and resources to formalise and grow sustainable businesses. The jobs already created, planned store openings and investments in business expansion demonstrate how targeted support can unlock economic opportunities and contribute to the growth of township economies,” says Maanda Milubi, Director: Enterprise and Supplier Development and Transformation at Tiger Brands.
Tiger Brands will continue supporting the entrepreneurs through mentorship and tailored business development guidance to help sustain their growth.
The Kokota Growth Programme forms part of Tiger Brands’ broader commitment to supporting South Africa’s township economy, estimated to be worth more than R900 billion (Standard Bank Township Economy Report). The company is also expanding its general trade footprint in the township economy, with the ambition of reaching 150,000 stores.
Kokota Growth Programme second cohort graduates:
| Business | Owner | Location |
| The Burg Eatery | Setungoane Lillian Ngwenya | Lenasia |
| Grinds Kitchen | Lehlohonolo Ndlovu | Olifantsvlei, Kibler Park |
| Lele’s Fast Food | Lebogang Ellen Mosuoe | Crystal Park, Benoni |
| Zaza’s Eatery | Valencia Zandile Themba | Moroka. Soweto |
| South Side Grills | Lehlohonolo Motaung | Protea Glen, Soweto |
| The Foodie Queen | Colleen Mpotulo | Marlboro |
| Art of Flavour | Tshepo Ramphela | SkyCity |
| Lihleliswe Trading | Nandipha Booi | Zola 1, Soweto |
| Zile Foods | Cynthia Phumzile Kunene | Boksburg, Ekurhuleni |
| Thatho’s Kotary | Thato Nong | Protea Glen, Soweto |
| Monate Snack | Boikanyo Kodisang | Tsakane, Ekurhuleni |
| Makhis Fast Food | Ellen Nomsa Radebe | Diepkloof, Soweto |
| Snap Kota (Snapfun Events and Projects) | Funeka Mazibuko | Marlands, Germiston |
| Fezutravel | Mpho Nangu | Spruitview, Katlhong |
| Masala La Delicious | Rosina Fulufhelo Mudau | Ivory Park, Midrand |
| Konka Bokamoso Ba Rona | Thabang Letseleha | Noordwyk, Midrand |
| Divine Flavour Eatery | Pebetsi Makgethwa Natalia Molefi | Linbro Park |
| Buhlemelo Events and Projects | Ntombizodwa Ruth Zwane | Chiawelo, Soweto |
| Just Good Food | Sindiswa Cynthia Dlamini | Graceland, Elspark, Germiston |
| TlouCreatives | Nthabiseng Kekane | Meredale |
| The Food Shed | Kwanele Mtolo | Dube, Soweto |