Township entrepreneurs empowered at Kasi Business Workshop

The spirit of Nelson Mandela Day came alive recently in Galeshewe as the 37th edition of the Kasi Business Workshop transformed the local Recreation Hall into a hub of innovation, insight, and inspiration. Themed “Marketing Your Business”, this powerful full-day event equipped township entrepreneurs with practical strategies for growing their businesses in the digital age while celebrating the legacy of Madiba through a meaningful 67-minute mentorship segment.

With an atmosphere charged with collaboration and learning, the workshop served as a space where ideas flourished and dreams took shape. The special Mandela Day edition swapped out its usual closing segment, the Mbawula Chat, for 67 Minutes of Mentorship, an interactive platform that allowed attendees to engage directly with business leaders, pose questions, and workshop real-world challenges in a communal setting.

Returning to where it all began for her, 2022 Kasi Pitching Challenge winner Keoweditse Moremedi shared valuable lessons from her journey. Having once claimed the R50,000 prize, Keoweditse spoke about the courage it takes to start and how success often follows those who build where they are. "I wanted to start my clinic in town, but I opened it in the township," she recalled. "Now my clients from town come to me."

Other speakers included Thembalihle Mbetha, founder of Black Pay Finance Co., who emphasised patience and long-term growth, and Nedbank’s Small Business Relationship Manager, Elton Bedwell, who addressed how banks can support business development. His colleague, Charles Frederiks, underlined the importance of consistency and ensuring a business’s value is reflected in every customer interaction.

The workshop followed its tried-and-true structure: a morning Kasi Pitching Clinic to help entrepreneurs polish their business ideas, followed by the Kasi Pitching Challenge, where contenders compete for R50,000 in funding. A Masterclass offered expert-led sessions, while the Kasi Business Exhibition gave local businesses a platform to showcase their products. The day wrapped up with intentional networking and the now-customary mentorship feature.

During the mentorship session, participants brought forward real concerns. Onke Moloto questioned how entrepreneurs without internet access could learn about the workshop, prompting a discussion about the need for wider community-driven communication. Keitu Moloto asked how speakers stayed motivated in tough times, prompting a reference to Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, specifically the importance of keeping your end goal in mind.

Other discussions touched on expanding business networks, with suggestions including joining municipal IDP meetings and leveraging informal community spaces for networking. Pricing strategy was also a key concern. Speakers highlighted the need to balance affordability with value, using Keoweditse’s clinic as a case study in pricing with dignity.

The highlight of the mentorship session was The Group Challenge, in which attendees split into 17 teams to design community-focused social enterprises. Each group presented marketing strategies for gaining community, government, and corporate support. Five teams—Galeshiwe Business Solutions, Glow-Kim Youth Hub, Solved, Holders of Life, and Poor Growth—stood out with compelling solutions to issues such as digital illiteracy, youth unemployment, and access to clean water.

These group efforts will be documented in a case study that captures their innovative ideas and community-first approaches. The aim is to replicate successful concepts in other townships facing similar challenges.

Capping off the day, the Kasi Pitching Challenge winner was announced: Llewellyn Botha, founder of LJ Lewis Pty Ltd. His Kimberley-based business, which manufactures custom photo frames, canvas prints, jewellery, and handmade accessories, wowed judges with its authenticity and vision. With a team of five staff, LJ Lewis is not just creating jobs; it’s demonstrating what township entrepreneurship can achieve with the right support and vision.

Llewellyn’s win encapsulated the spirit of the workshop: bold ideas rooted in community, ready to scale beyond limitations.

The 37th Kasi Business Workshop served as both a celebration of township enterprise and a call to action for local change-makers. Through interactive mentorship, practical training, and the power of shared experience, the event reaffirmed that the future of the township economy lies in its people, resourceful, resilient, and ready to lead.