Township businesses in Bloemfontein are set for a moment of empowerment this coming Saturday, the 16th August 2025, as Kasi Business Workshop returns to the area under the theme: “Building Teams and Stakeholder Engagements.”
The workshop will be hosted by the Township Entrepreneurs Agency (TEA) and will be held in Bochabela starting from 9 am. This will be a return of TEA to Bloemfontein with its edition of Kasi Business Workshop.
The workshop will unpack the fundamentals of building effective teams by exploring how to identify, engage and manage stakeholder relationships for sustainable long-term business growth, based on the findings that team cohesion leads to stronger performance and shared vision, more so in under-resourced environments.
TEA said the Kasi Business Workshop seeks to foster a township economy network where entrepreneurs are empowered to thrive collectively.
“This platform has been highly effective, with over 68% of attendees reporting to do business with one another after attending the workshop. Far from being a typical workshop, it is a full-day experience designed to deliver practical learning, valuable exposure, and real opportunities for growth,” said TEA spokesperson Thato Malebo.
Over the past 10 years, TEA has firmly established itself as a responsive and solutions-driven instrument within South Africa’s township economy. Through its initiative, Kasi Business Workshop, TEA strategically tackles the challenges facing township-based SMEs such as marginalisation and limited access to training and support networks.
“Backed by research, a 2023 study by Mkhwanazi highlights that through active engagement with key stakeholders, particularly suppliers and employees, one can observe significant increases in business resilience and long-term performance, even in environments with constrained financial resources. This insight further anchors the value of TEA’s focus on stakeholder engagement and team development as cornerstones of township enterprise growth in this edition of the Kasi Business Workshop,” Malebo continued.
Kasi Business Workshop has the following categories and activities:
- Masterclass: Building Teams and Stakeholder Engagements
No entrepreneur builds a business alone. This masterclass will also unpack the importance of stakeholder engagement, by teaching entrepreneurs how to identify and build meaningful relationships with key players such as funders, suppliers, community leaders, and mentors. By understanding these fundamentals, entrepreneurs can unlock business support, access resources, and will be able to scale their businesses sustainably. The objective is to build collective strength, with the understanding that businesses thrive through teamwork and partnership.
- Kasi Business Exhibition
The Kasi Business Exhibition provides township entrepreneurs with the chance to display and trade their products or services to a new audience. It is a great opportunity for business owners in Bochabela to build awareness of their business, meet new customers, and connect with potential partners. Each exhibitor will also receive a card machine, so they can accept card payments and generate real sales on the day.
Book your stall: WhatsApp: 068 158 9484.
- Kasi Pitching Challenge
The Kasi Pitching Challenge is a platform for local entrepreneurs to turn a great business idea into real support. Any individual with a strong idea or an existing small business can enter the challenge by sharing a short pitch. The winner will receive R50 000 plus Nedbank’s PocketPOS card machine to help with sales. The invitation to pitch will only be sent to registered attendees.
- Networking
This segment of the Kasi Business Workshop is intentional and is designed to turn strangers into collaborators. Attendees are guided into an open-conversation and introductory session with other participants. They are encouraged to exchange contact details, explore opportunities for collaboration, and continue passing business to one another long after the workshop ends. True to the theme, this session is about aligning around a common purpose because no one truly builds alone.
- Mbawula Chat
The Mbawula Chat is an inspiring sit-down conversation with a business leader who has built their success in the township. In this session, they will share personal stories of perseverance and teamwork, by offering lessons on how to grow a business by forging meaningful relationships with partners, employees, customers, and the community at large. The conversation will delve into the often unseen work of building support systems: assembling a reliable team, nurturing trust with suppliers, and aligning with key stakeholders to unlock new opportunities.
The details for the Saturday workshop are as follows:
#JoinUsForTEA in Bochabela
Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
Time: 09:30 AM – 14:00 PM
Entrance: FREE (PRE-REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL)
Venue: K-LA-K LIFESTYLE, Bloemfontein, Free State.
Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tea-kasi-business-workshop-bochabela-free-state-tickets-1540239871919?aff=oddtdtcreator
TEA has played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s township entrepreneurship landscape, consistently delivering tangible impact over the past decade.
“To date, over 100,000 entrepreneurs have benefited from its training and support programme while more than 500 township-based businesses have received funding and growth assistance. Through a combination of workshops, skills development, research, and financial support, TEA continues to uplift entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by mainstream platforms yet are building thriving businesses within their own communities,” concluded Malebo.
