On October 16, 2024, I had the privilege of presenting at a webinar hosted by Proudly South African. It was an inspiring session that brought together local entrepreneurs and industry leaders to discuss sustainable business practices and local enterprise development. The event was facilitated by Alicia Logan, Membership Manager at Proudly South African, who guided the discussions with insight and energy. I shared the platform with distinguished speakers, including Phumzile Mthembu, founder and author of Kwezi Books, and Mbali Motsoeneng, Head of Strategic Partnership for Microenterprises at Harambe Youth Employment Accelerator.
During my presentation, I spoke about two of my key business ventures: our aquaponics farm in Soweto and the meat wholesale and processing plant located in Kya Sands. I highlighted how these initiatives are contributing to local economic development, sustainability, and food security.
Aquaponics: Cultivating Food Security in Soweto
The aquaponics farm, established in the heart of Soweto, is a solution-driven project aimed at addressing food security while promoting urban farming. By growing fish and vegetables together in a closed-loop system, we’re able to maximize the use of limited space and provide fresh, organic produce to the community. This farm not only brings food closer to where it is consumed but also provides educational opportunities in sustainable farming techniques for township residents. Through social media and community engagement, we continue to advocate for the growth of aquaponics as a viable and sustainable method for producing food in urban areas.
Z2B Eyethu Meat Wholesalers and Processing: Supporting Local Business Growth
Our meat wholesale and processing plant in Kya Sands takes a different approach, focusing on the meat supply chain for restaurants and fast food outlets in the Soweto and Randburg areas. We have positioned Z2B Eyethu as a critical partner to small food businesses by offering bulk supply and processed meat products such as sausages and beef patties. Recognizing the financial challenges many restaurants face, we’ve implemented innovative solutions like stock loans to help businesses maintain a steady supply of meat products, strengthening our customer relationships and enabling their growth.
The Bigger Picture: Working Together for Local Economic Empowerment
The webinar featured valuable insights from Phumzile Mthembu, who spoke about the importance of empowering communities through literature, and Mbali Motsoeneng, who shared strategies on bridging the youth unemployment gap by supporting microenterprises. Together, we explored how collaboration and resource sharing can amplify our efforts in building sustainable businesses that positively impact our communities.
The Proudly South African webinar served as a reminder that the spirit of Ubuntu and local entrepreneurship is alive and thriving. It was an honor to share our story and discuss ways we can all contribute to a stronger, more self-reliant South Africa. I look forward to continued collaborations with organizations like Proudly SA, Kwezi Books, and Harambe, as we collectively drive change through innovative business models that uplift our people.
Let’s continue to champion local businesses, embrace sustainable practices, and support one another in our journey towards economic freedom and prosperity.
