Mandela Day in the township, rural areas: How local entrepreneurs powered grassroots growth

WHILE many South Africans observed Mandela Day last Friday, July 18, with symbolic gestures of service, in townships and rural communities across the country, entrepreneurs marked the day by actively contributing to economic upliftment and community development.

- TSAKANI NKOMBYANE

In areas often overlooked by formal investment, township and rural entrepreneurs have long been creating jobs, building networks, and strengthening local economies through small but impactful enterprises. Mandela Day this year amplified the ongoing efforts of these business owners, who used the occasion to give back in meaningful ways.

Across Limpopo, small-scale bakeries hosted bread-making workshops to teach unemployed youth practical skills, helping them generate income with limited resources. These workshops offered more than baking techniques — they provided a pathway to financial independence and a source of hope for communities grappling with unemployment.

In Cape Town townships, digital platforms supporting informal traders offered free training sessions focused on pricing strategies, inventory management, and mobile payment systems. These initiatives empowered local shopkeepers to run more sustainable operations and compete effectively in increasingly digital markets. For many informal traders, this was a chance to upgrade business skills that are often out of reach due to lack of access or resources.