Monday, March 23, 2009

SOWETO: Orlando East Residents Launch History-Making Business Cooperative

While world economies are struggling to stay afloat, Orlando East residents in Soweto are busy making history happen in their local business community.

For the first time ever, 100 Orlando East households have mobilised into a self-empowered business co-operative to secure the lion's share of a local community store joint venture.


Section of Orlando East Cooperative in training with Nancy Nxumalo (centre) President Soweto Chamber of Commerce & Industries


Their joint venture partners include the Soweto Chamber Of Commerce, local NGO's, and the developers of Community 100 Empowered - an innovative socio-economic business and funding model.

The Community 100 Empowered model allows for up to 100% of project donor funding to find its way into the hands of intended target beneficiaries to spend on needed products and services of their choice within their own formalised economic hub.

SCCI President Nancy Nxumalo says: ‘Our Soweto Chamber of Commerce & Industries looks looks to stimulate the development of sustainable economic hubs within Soweto. This innovative community-ownership model allows Soweto householders to purchase goods that they want from their own local co-operative retail mini-stores.’

The aim of each economic hub is to directly service the organised mass-spending power of the newly empowered beneficiaries at rates better than or equal to that which they currently achieve in their local informal economy.

Adds Nancy: ‘Our aim is to encourage the collaboration of recognisable national brands to participate in developing multiple local co-operatives in Soweto, each serving and owned by as few as 100 households. We see it as a stimulant for the micro/small business sector and a recognition of the true value of the collective spending-power inherent in every household in Soweto.’

'The project offers donors and corporates a significant return on social investment (ROSI) with 100% transparency, governance and transparency by ensuring that up to 100% of funding reaches its target.’

Contact:Nancy Nxumalo - 082-922-8389 - nancynxumalo@gmail.com - President: Soweto Chamber of Commerce & Industries

Community100Empowered – 083-627-8191 - Ivan Andersen - ivan@tsf.co.za- Business Support Software Development




More members of the Orlando East Cooperative in training