Amidst the gloomy unemployment figures released recently, a start-up social enterprise is making its
mark, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs from low-income communities to build successful
businesses.
Over the last 2 years Cape Town-based non-profit, TRADE-MARK Trust, has helped tradesmen from
the surrounding townships generate an additional R1 million in revenue.
“This is a significant milestone for us as an organisation,” says TRADE-MARK founder, Joshua Cox. “At
the same time we know it’s a drop in the ocean when you consider the size of the problem we are
tackling.”
Last month TRADE-MARK opened a second branch in Gauteng, connecting tradesmen in townships
across Northern Johannesburg with homeowners and businesses wanting to do renovations. In
addition to connecting tradesmen to the market, TRADE-MARK works in partnership with The
Business Place in Philippi to deliver an 18-month business and life skills training programme.
“Even the best painters and carpenters from the communities we work with struggle to access the
more affluent market directly,” says Cox. “Many have no option but to work under a more
established contractor for a wage”.
TRADE-MARK currently provides training and support to 15 tradesmen in Cape Town and 15 up in
Johannesburg, with funding from the Industrial Development Corporation.
“Since I joined Trade-Mark in August last year my life has changed and my business is growing daily,”
says Rice Vengai, a painter on the TRADE-MARK programme. “I am getting more clients and have
managed to employ two permanent guys and three casuals; I hope to employ more as the company
grows.”
“There is huge potential to help develop tradesmen who have shown promise as entrepreneurs and
are able to provide a high quality service to the market,” says Cox “We believe that developing
people as job-providers, not only job-seekers, is going to be key for South Africa to reverse the rising
unemployment trend .”
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