In a continued effort to drive inclusive economic growth and strengthen township and rural enterprise development, the Township Rural Entrepreneurship and Development Association (TREDA) today held a strategic engagement with the Executive Mayor of Mbhashe Local Municipality, Dr Samkelo Janda.
The meeting forms part of TREDA to build meaningful partnerships with local government institutions in pursuit of sustainable local economic development, enterprise support, and long-term economic inclusion for township and rural communities.
The engagement highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between municipalities and developmental organisations in addressing unemployment, poverty, and limited economic participation within underserved communities. Through these engagements, TREDA seeks to create practical pathways for SMMEs, informal traders, youth-owned enterprises, women-led businesses, and community entrepreneurs to access development opportunities, mentorship, markets, and strategic support.
During discussions with the municipality, emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen local economic ecosystems by creating enabling environments for small businesses to thrive. The conversations explored opportunities for joint initiatives that can accelerate entrepreneurship, improve business sustainability, stimulate manufacturing activity, and promote economic participation at grassroots level.
TREDA further emphasised the significance of integrating township and rural enterprises into broader economic value chains, ensuring that local businesses are not left behind in the evolving economic landscape. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting municipalities that are intentional about empowering local entrepreneurs and unlocking economic potential within their regions.
As part of the day’s programme, the TREDA delegation conducted outreach activities throughout Idutywa, where they directly engaged with local SMMEs and street hawkers operating within the Mbhashe municipal area. The outreach created an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn more about TREDA’s developmental offerings, support programmes, and future initiatives aimed at strengthening township and rural businesses.
The team interacted with a wide range of informal traders and small business owners who continue to demonstrate resilience despite prevailing economic challenges. These engagements provided valuable insight into the realities faced by local entrepreneurs, including access to funding, infrastructure limitations, market accessibility, compliance challenges, and the need for structured business development support.
TREDA representatives also used the opportunity to educate local business operators about the importance of organisation, collaboration, and participation in developmental structures that advocate for township and rural economies. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to position themselves for future opportunities that may emerge through public-private partnerships, enterprise development programmes, and local procurement initiatives.
The organisation noted that street hawkers and informal businesses remain a critical pillar of South Africa’s economy, particularly within rural towns and townships where informal trade often serves as a primary source of income and employment for many households. TREDA believes that empowering these enterprises through support, recognition, and integration into formal economic systems can contribute significantly to economic stability and job creation.
The visit to Mbhashe Local Municipality reflects TREDA’s broader vision of building a collaborative developmental ecosystem that connects municipalities, corporates, business chambers, community organisations, and entrepreneurs in pursuit of inclusive economic transformation.
Through its growing engagements across different provinces and municipalities, TREDA continues to position itself as a developmental force focused on advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening SMMEs, supporting informal traders, promoting industrial participation, and contributing towards sustainable socio-economic development across South Africa.
