As the founder and CEO of the Township Economy Development Community of South Africa (TEDCOZA), Juliet Miyabo (54) is a driving force in supporting entrepreneurs in townships and rural communities.
1.When and why did you start TEDCOZA?
I launched TEDCOZA, a non-profit Company NPC in 2018 and registered it in 2021. I started TEDCOZA as I had been involved in the small enterprise development space – particularly with township entrepreneurs in Soweto – for many years. This involvement included being a founding member of the Township Economic Commission of South Africa (TECSA) and being in leadership of the Soweto Business Collaboration (SOBCO).
2.What activities does TEDCOZA engage in?
TEDCOZA supports township and rural entrepreneurs by lobbying for policy change, advocating for inclusive economic development and facilitating access to opportunities and resources. We promote locally made goods from small and medium-sized enterprises and assist with funding applications, sourcing, business compliance and sector based entrepreneurial education.TEDCOZA encourages informal businesses to register so they can access government and private enterprise supplier development (ESD) support programmes. We also ensure physical and digital accessibility.
3. How many members does TEDCOZA have?
We have a membership base of 8000 entrepreneurs, which comprises entrepreneurs in a variety of sectors, including special groups, i.e., women, youth and those with disabilities who have SMMEs. We have 300 disabled entrepreneurs in partnership with our associates in this sector. We continuously find ways to incorporate various features to ensure accessibility of information and opportunities.
4.Why are you so passionate about entrepreneurship?
I am passionate about promoting entrepreneurship because it highlights to people that they are capable of identifying a gap and filling it with a service or product. By being entrepreneurs, people can improve their own lives, while creating employment for others. Entrepreneurs provide employment opportunities even to those with no skills, education or experience. Through TEDCOZA, we are promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship by encouraging entrepreneurs in our network to be solution-driven, to find opportunities to generate an income and to have a get up and go and never give up mindset. We also encourage diversification, where our entrepreneurs are encouraged to look at what other products and services they can provide. For example, if someone is selling tomatoes, we encourage them to expand their business by exploring the manufacturing of tomato sauce.Many people believe that the only way to survive is through their grants and salaries. TEDCOZA is turning this mindset around by motivating people to inject money they get into a business that in turn generates further income. The biggest resources you can rely on are your brain and an injection of capital.
5.Does TEDCOZA work in all nine provinces of South Africa?
Yes. Our 30 volunteers – who are made up of provincial leaders, sector leaders and local coordinators – work with entrepreneurs in all nine provinces of the country.
6.What are your qualifications?
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences majoring in Political Science and Political Philosophy. My qualifications are linked to my work in TEDCOZA as a large reason why South Africa is so unequal is because of our socio-economic political history. Business is impacted by policies made in the past.The major supermarkets in townships benefit those who have historically made large amounts of money. These supermarkets disadvantage spaza shop owners and other entrepreneurs because they can’t compete with big business by selling cheaper products. I am involved in policy discussions to protect entrepreneurs, which include highlighting issues like supermarkets not being allowed to sell hot food so as to open this opportunity to entrepreneurs.
7.Where does TEDCOZA get its funding?TEDCOZA is unfunded. Contribution from our SMMEs covers costs such as travel and basic operations. We would appreciate any partnership that can help fund the enormous work that still needs to be done to support township and rural SMMEs.
8.What do you most enjoy about running your organisation?
I get great satisfaction from positively impacting lives in different communities – from someone saying that through our assistance, they are now able to push stock using a bakkie and not a trolley or that they could buy stock for their shop or equipment for their catering business.I love being part of a community of hope and a bubble of safety where entrepreneurs can empower themselves in a caring and supportive environment. I am fulfilled by building and leaving a legacy of a better South Africa, one SMME at a time.
9.What have been your greatest challenges?
One of my biggest challenges is being one of the only women heading an organisation of this size in the township/rural entrepreneurship ecosystem. It can be hard changing the narrative of entrepreneurship to being more caring; business doesn’t have to be a dog- eat-dog world. As TEDCOZA, we live by the motto, “Ubuntu in Business”.Another challenge is that the education system is not being adjusted to create the mindset of entrepreneurship among learners. Entrepreneurship must be instilled at an elementary stage of education. We have launched TEDCOZA KIDZ in order to introduce entrepreneurship nationwide at an infancy stage using our network base.
10. What are your views on transformation in South Africa?
With unemployment soaring and micro and small businesses in townships and rural areas locked out of opportunity, accelerated transformation is no longer optional, it’s essential. Transformation must be intentional, ecosystem-driven and supported by a multidisciplinary, interministerial approach to truly unlock growth for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The success of our economy depends on giving marginalised enterprises the access they need to not just survive — but to thrive.
11. What are your plans for the future?
TEDCOZA’s future growth and impact plans are centred on building stronger, more sustainable township and rural economies by caling support for SMMEs, strengthening local supply chains and expanding access to finance, training and markets. The organisation aims to deepen its footprint across provinces and intensify enterprise development programmes. We will continue to champion policies that protect and empower local township and rural entrepreneurs. Through strategic partnerships, data-driven interventions and sector-focused approaches, TEDCOZA plans to unlock greater economic participation, drive job creation and ensure that township and rural businesses become competitive contributors to South Africa’s broader economy that creates generational wisdom and wealth in our communities.
