The Takealot Township Economy Initiative in Gauteng was launched in collaboration between the Takealot Group and the Gauteng Provincial Government in South Africa. The premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, and the executive chairperson of the Takealot Group, Mamongae Mahlare, signed an MOU in Mamelodi West.
Historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) in underserved communities across South Africa own small businesses that aim to create jobs. The Takealot Township Economy Initiative comprises six programmes supporting these businesses.
Etwatwa, Ivory Park, Diepsloot, Vosloorus, Tsakane, Daveyton, Winterveld, Evaton, Ga-Rankuwa, Kwa-Thema, and Mabopane are going to be a part of the Takealot Township Economy Initiative, which is being launched in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government. This is the first time the initiative has been implemented in the country.
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According to Mamongae Mahlare, executive chairperson of the Takealot Group (which includes Takealot.com, Mr D, and Superbalist), creating job opportunities and fostering economic growth is fundamental to the Group’s ethos.
Takealot: The six strategic pillars implemented
Takealot Delivery Team Last Meter Driver Development Programme: This programme hopes to alleviate the critical shortage of qualified drivers by providing education and experience to people in South Africa interested in a career in on-demand delivery. Within five years, the programme aims to bring on board 2,000 drivers who will become part of the Takealot Franchise Network. Full—or part-time drivers can participate in free training programmes and advance their careers.
Takealot Personal Shopper Programme: One form of supplemental income in South African culture is “Personal Shopping,” which involves using the Takealot platform to buy things for people. Personal shoppers earn commissions by assisting customers in navigating the platform and obtaining the best deals. You can earn as much commission as you want. By 2028, the programme hopes to have hired and trained 5,000 personal shoppers to work in specific underprivileged communities.
Takealot Township Franchise Development Programme: You can collect and deliver items ordered from the platform at a Takealot Franchise. Entrepreneurs with some business acumen are the franchisees in charge of these hubs. In underprivileged communities, we want to foster an entrepreneurial spirit by providing opportunities for locals to learn and grow their business acumen. In contrast to other franchise operations, Takealot franchisees are exempt from paying royalties to the Group. Ten franchisees can access training and financial assistance through the programme over five years.
Mr D Mzansi Trailblazer Restaurant Programme: Independent restaurants in Mzansi can get a “leg up” through the Mr D Mzansi Trailblazer Restaurant Programme, which provides trading benefits to increase sales on the Mr D Platform. Joining the platform is free of charge, and there will be ongoing training to assist restaurant owners in making the most of the features. Mr. D will provide an advertising credit of R1000 for the first three months of trading, with additional credits to follow. Mr. D will dedicate a specific promotion to HDP restaurants every month to help get the word out about these establishments.
Superbalist Stock Reseller Programme: Township residents can use the program’s sale prices on new, high-quality apparel. By providing a platform for local South African entrepreneurs to resell unsold or returned stock at a discounted rate, it seeks to expand the clothing market in underserved communities. Over five years, the programme will equip ten resellers with Superbalist products, education, and financial opportunities to spur long-term economic development in their communities.
Takealot Marketplace SME and Local Industrialisation Programme: The programme seeks to turn townships into economic powerhouses by bolstering local manufacturers. These businesses can scale because we provide logistics, simplified solutions, and market access. They offer dedicated onboarding and training, offer free advertising credits for product launches, waive subscription fees for 12 months, have over 4 million potential customers nationwide, and give qualifying manufacturers a Proudly SA membership for a year. By supporting local entrepreneurs and encouraging community development, this initiative helps to create jobs and boosts the economy.
Mahlare disclosed that plans are afoot to expand the Takealot Township Economy Initiative to other provinces’ townships to aid in the country’s economic recovery. This would provide township entrepreneurs with a platform and increase job creation.
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About Takealot
The Takealot Group is a tale of a thriving startup that became the undisputed king of South African eCommerce through acquiring and developing three formidable verticals: takealot.com, superbalist.com, and Mr D. Our three e-commerce sites—Takealot. Com, Superbalist.com, and Mr D—offer a vast assortment of general merchandise, footwear, and home goods, respectively.
An ever-growing behemoth in online food delivery, fast fashion, and retail, the Takealot Group rose from modest origins. Our coverage extends nationwide, providing top-notch service in urban and rural areas.
Locations with a functional restaurant network can take advantage of food delivery services. More than 33,000 people have found work thanks to the Group’s Marketplace and its 10,000 restaurant partners since the company began. As a Proudly African company, 82% of all revenue generated by the platforms stays in South Africa. They want to keep expanding their service to more and more people in South Africa so that more small businesses can thrive, more people can find work, and more people can save time and money. Visit www.takealotgroup.com
