Upskilling is the start of uplifting and empowering women to become business owners. That is the belief of the DO MORE FOUNDATION’s (DMF) Township Economy Programme. It strives to help young women thrive in their communities as strong and capable entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it is a collaboration between the DMF, the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Furniture Technology Centre Trust (Furntech).
Early on in the establishment of the programme, the DMF decided to approach the community as a collaborator instead of a beneficiary. This approach is characterised by its emphasis on collaboration and shared goals and has been central to the success of the Township Economy Programme in Hammarsdale and Rustenburg. “Our journey, first in Hammarsdale and then in Rustenburg, stands as a testament to the profound effects of community members becoming long-term stakeholders with sustained livelihoods rather than just once-off beneficiaries,” says a representative from the programme.
Between 2019 and 2024, 120 women were upskilled in Hammarsdale. In Rustenburg, a total of 60 women have been upskilled between 2022 and 2024.
One particular success story coming from the Hammarsdall programme is that of Balungile Hadebe. She is the business owner of Beah Foot and Body Massage in Hammarsdale and a candidate for 2023’s Township Economy Programme. Balungile’s business acumen has grown significantly as has the success of her business: “There are a lot of things that have changed since I have joined this program. I’m living the life that I want, and I have fulfilled a life-long dream,” she shares. “Whatever I do, the success and prosperity of my business comes first. Now that I know what business really is, I know that I must save money and do things professionally.”
This motivates other women to join the programme and learn how to manage their businesses successfully.
A Collaborative Approach
“A key realisation in community development is that the true experts are the community members themselves, as they have a deep understanding of their environment,” he says. “Instead of imposing external solutions, successful development work involves listening to the community’s needs and collaborating on solutions. This approach respects the community’s knowledge and leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.”
According to the DMF, the programme has provided these women with a set of essential skills and linked them to employment opportunities, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs. “The long-term impact of these programs in Hammarsdale and Rustenburg is to drive economic growth and reduce unemployment in the local economy. Empowering these women extends beyond economic development, providing them with the tools, support, and confidence to overcome challenges and transform their lives and communities.”

Business Acumen for Empowered Women
The ready-to-deliver entrepreneurship training program has equipped candidates with practical business skills, fostering their confidence and enabling them to thrive. The women in the Township Economy Programme are given the opportunity to build a sustainable livelihood that supports their families and the broader community.
A rough estimation indicates that each woman has roughly five dependents. With this information, the DMF calculates that the total number of indirect beneficiaries is 100.
How the Township Economy Programme Works
First, candidates are recruited from the community. Once they have been identified, the ladies benefit from six months of in-depth entrepreneurship, business, and finance training. Next, they are converted into small enterprises and provided with market linkages, practical support and mentoring, business administration skills and assistance with applications for micro-financing through the Township Economy Programme. The final step is a pitch to funders in a Shark Tank-type competition platform, leading to financial support for the winning entrepreneur/s, with ongoing support from Niya Consulting.
Although this is just one Township Economy Programme, multiple similar programmes exist across South Africa to uplift the women in communities that desperately need guidance and mentorship.