​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has partnered with Takealot on a groundbreaking initiative to bring township businesses into growing digital market economy through training and additional opportunities.
About R150 million has been set aside for this game-changing partnership between Takealot Township Economy and the provincial government. The partnership aims to foster economic empowerment and growth within Gauteng townships, providing a platform for local businesses to thrive in the country's largest e-commerce company. 
Speaking at the launch at Mamelodi West Community Hall in Tshwane, Premier Panyaza Lesufi expressed gratitude to Takealot for sharing the provincial government's vision to change the face of townships by exposing local business owners to the global market.
"The future gold of this province lies in townships. It is in the townships that new gold will emerge; it is in the township that new businesses and new development will emerge. 
"We are ending an era where township businesses only sell to township residents. And today a new e-commerce initiative is in the horizon purely because of the vision of Takealot and for that we are grateful," said Premier Lesufi. 
About 20 000 job opportunities will result from this partnership in the next 3 years. 
This is part of the GPG's commitment to open access to markets for small businesses at the margins of the province's mainstream economy and to enable them to grow, in line with the provisions of the Gauteng Township Economic Development Act. The Act makes provision  for the transfer of technologies and skills to small businesses.
"We are the first province to pass the Township Economic Development Bill in parliament and we are the first province that amidst the political challenges that we are facing, when we presented that bill in parliament, all political parties without exception, unanimously adopted that bill and today, it is an Act, so that townships can be a better place for all of us. 
"All townships must be improved; all townships must attract investment and all townships must ensure they benefit. I want to thank you Takealot, 20 000 jobs in three years is not a child's play. Even if it was one job at least you would have removed somebody from the unemployment list, to remove 20 000, I want to say 'bozza wena'," said Lesufi. 
Programmes offered by the initiative include: 
Takealot Delivery Driver Development Programmes.
Bringing more products made in the townships by SMEs and local industries onto the Takealot marketplace.
Bringing more township restaurants onto the Mr. Delivery (Mr D) database.
Developing a Takealot Personal Shopper Programmes; and
Allowing various township businesses to be resellers of Superbalist stock.
Executive chairperson of the Takealot Group, Mamongae Mahlare said this was an opportunity for all SMEs to be able to have a national reach.
"Our business has always been about lifting others as we rise.  You need to know that is what e-commerce is about.  What the Takealot group does and what it offers for you is to have access to markets because sometimes you have a good idea, you have a good product, but you have only so much that you can sell to friends and neighbours, 
"But when you put it on Takelot.com, it allows you to be able to access over 4 million customers, over 110 different places where products can be picked up and you are able to have partner that allows you to market your business, you get your product sold and delivered to  the customer and you can focus on how you do your part well," said Mahlare.
So far, the Takealot Group has created 6000 direct jobs, over 20 000 Small Medium Enterprises, over 10 000 restaurants listed on MR. D, over 110 local design brands that are sold on Superbalist.com and supported over 33 000 jobs on the ecosystems. 
She emphasised that small business owners should know that e-commerce was about and what the Takealot group offered.  
"Make no mistake being a seller on Takealot.com or a restaurant partner on Mr. D is not just about listing and then going home, it is a business, the hustle is real. 
"If you want to be successful you also have to treat your business with the seriousness it deserves and if you do what you need to do, we will do what we are committed to doing what we have been doing for over the number of years and we are committed to continue," she said.
Economic Development MEC, Tasneem Motara said the partnerships marked a significant milestone to foster growth and prosperity, opening up a world of opportunities for enterprises based in Gauteng and to expand their clientele and unleash new markets across the entire country.