Township and rural entrepreneurs face a genuinely different operating environment to businesses based in established commercial hubs. The Township Entrepreneurs Alliance was built specifically around that gap, and a decade on it has grown into one of the country’s larger grassroots business networks.
What is the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance?
The Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) launched in 2015 with a focus on empowering township- and rural-based businesses through knowledge sharing, skills development, enterprise development and access to markets. It runs “Join Us for TEA” events in townships across the country, including Tembisa, Alexandra, Mamelodi and Vosloorus.
Who does it support?
TEA supports primarily township- and rural-based entrepreneurs across sectors and experience levels, recognising that these entrepreneurs face a distinctly different set of operating challenges to businesses in more established commercial areas.
Is TEA still active?
Very much so. Over the past decade, TEA has grown its impact to over 100,000 entrepreneurs and 500-plus funded township businesses. In 2026 it launched an MOU with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to establish a joint SMME Support Programme, one of the more significant public-private partnerships in the local small-business sector, and it now also runs the annual Township Economy Awards, with its third edition open for entries.
What do participants get?
- Free business mentorship and workshop sessions covering digitisation, social media and digital skills.
- Business structuring support, with a focus on compliance, marketing and fund management.
- Market access opportunities with a heavy focus on sales and distribution.
- Direct connections to government institutions, industry stakeholders and corporate partners.
What does it cost?
TEA’s sessions are free to attend.
How do I get involved?
- Facebook and Instagram: Township Entrepreneurs Alliance / @townshipentrepreneurs
- WhatsApp or call: 068 158 9484, or office line 011 047 0707
- Website: joinusfortea.co.za
Frequently asked questions
Does TEA charge entrepreneurs to attend its sessions?
No, TEA’s mentorship and workshop sessions are free to attend.
Is TEA only for businesses located in townships?
Its focus is specifically township- and rural-based entrepreneurs, reflecting the different operating environment these businesses face compared to more established commercial areas.
What new initiatives has TEA launched recently?
In 2026, TEA signed an MOU with the Franchise Association of South Africa to launch a joint SMME Support Programme, and it continues to run its annual Township Economy Awards.
How do I find out about TEA’s next session in my area?
Follow TEA on Facebook or Instagram, or contact its WhatsApp/business line directly, since sessions are hosted in different townships throughout the year.
Backing the township economy
For a township- or rural-based entrepreneur looking for free, practical business support, TEA remains one of the more established, actively growing networks in the country. Confirm the next session in your area directly through its social channels.
Originally published in January 2020. Updated September 2026 to confirm TEA’s continued growth, including its 2026 FASA partnership and Township Economy Awards. Confirm current session dates directly through TEA’s own channels.
