The single sharpest fact is that 70% of micro-enterprises in South Africa remain informal and are excluded from mainstream procurement opportunities. They cannot participate in the formal economy because of their informal status.
Despite the resilience of the township economy, many entrepreneurs face barriers that limit sustainable growth, including a lack of structured sales planning. This makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses consistently. Additionally, there is limited access to formal opportunities and a minimal use of digital sales tools and CRM systems to manage and grow customer relationships.
The upcoming TEA Kasi Business Workshop, hosted in partnership with Nedbank in Gugulethu, will focus on practical and accessible business development tools that entrepreneurs can apply immediately within their businesses. The workshop, which is now in its fourth edition, will help participants improve customer engagement, strengthen sales techniques, and better position their products and services within competitive township markets. It will give entrepreneurs the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
The session, titled “How to Increase Your Sales”, is designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical strategies to attract customers, improve service delivery, and grow revenue sustainably. Participants will learn how to build stronger customer relationships and create more consistent sales opportunities by exploring simple sales strategies and effective ways to market their products and services. They will also get hands-on experience with customer service techniques and sales techniques.
The TEA Kasi Business Workshop is built on five key pillars: the Kasi Pitching Challenge, a competitive platform that enables local businesses to pitch for a share of the grand prize of R55 000; the Kasi Business Exhibition, a local market platform that allows businesses to showcase and sell their products and services; the Masterclass, an in-depth session focusing on the theme of the day, delivering practical business knowledge; the Mbawula Chat, an intimate conversation with a seasoned Township Economy Champion, profiling a business journey spanning over decades, focused on lessons, resilience, and practical wisdom; and the Hacking Networking session, a structured and facilitated engagement where entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and work through real business challenges using a social and practical problem-solving format.
In South Africa, the ability to increase sales, retain customers, and build sustainable business strategies may determine whether entrepreneurs remain in survival mode or transition into long-term growth-oriented enterprises. The success of township businesses could be a major factor in sustaining communities and creating income opportunities in the long run.
The workshop will be held on 6 June 2026 at the Ny 50, Gugulethu, Cape Town. Interested entrepreneurs can reserve their spot online. For media enquires, readers can email TEA directly or reach out to the project manager at the specified contact details.