The Kayamandi Economic and Tourism Corridor development has been in the community for nearly 15 years, and currently has 31 vacant trading offices with only one NGO tenant operating from the facility which was built and meant to boost economic trade in the community. Picture: Phando Jikelo
CAPE TOWN - With the Kayamandi Economic and Tourism Corridor development being labelled a R13million ‘white elephant’, local entrepreneurs in the area say they are forced to grow their businesses alternatively as the trading space in their community backyard cannot be used optimally.
The Kayamandi Corridor which has been in the community for nearly 15 years, currently has 31 vacant trading offices, with only one tenant - an NGO - operating from the facility which was built and meant to boost economic trade in the community.
However, small business owners are saying a number of factors hinder them from using the trading space optimally, including safety and security and trading rental fees.
Local entrepreneur and co-founder of Kasilam Wear, Samkela Mhlakaza, said he had applied to run his clothing printing and streetwear fashion business from the Kayamandi Corridor about three years ago.
Kayamandi resident Mhlakaza created the co-owned business about six years ago and caters to a vast clientele.
“I applied to use one of the spaces there as it is a great spot in our community for economic trade but due to lack of security at the centre, we had to reconsider. The Corridor has unfortunately become a venue that the community thinks of first when they plan disruption and we could not afford that.
“I am sure that if more attention will be given to security and security detail at the centre and for the community to take ownership of the space to ensure it is protected for our benefit, it could be and make a great impact for economic development,” said Mhlakaza.
Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar said once the new council has been inaugurated, the new ward councillors will once again be occupying spaces at Kayamandi Corridor to ensure close proximity and easier access to communities.
Grobbelaar also said council had undertaken several public participation processes in the past to determine the rental rates for the units and these rates are contained within the Stellenbosch Municipality Tariff Book.
According to the Tariff Book for July 1 until June 30 next year, tariffs range between R400 a month for a formal kiosk, to R880 a month for a restaurant. The deposit is one month’s rent. The tariffs also note a 30% discount for Non-Profitable Organisations, and in meritorious cases, the Accounting Officer may grant discounts larger than 30%.
“The process to revive economic activity is progressing well. Stellenbosch Municipality will be embarking on public participation processes again to obtain comments from the community in respect of the current and future usage of the facility.
“The condition of the facility has recently been assessed and the municipality will be conducting overall maintenance and upgrading of the facility in the 2021/22 financial year,” said Grobbelaar.
Grobbelaar adds that “exciting changes” are planned for the Kayamandi Corridor, similar to the transformation at the disused Victoria Street Clinic.
New life has been breathed into the old clinic at 7 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch where the NPO, Ranyaka Community Transformation are offering local entrepreneurs in the Stellenbosch community opportunities to grow their businesses through their Building Business programme.
There are currently 13 entrepreneurs from Kayamandi who are trading from the Hub which range from fashion designers and jewellery/accessory-makers to a chef, hairdresser and Rooibos tea distributor.
Kasilam Wear became one of the businesses since July that has been able to use free trading space at the newly transformed entrepreneurial development hub called the CoCreate Hub.
Ranyaka project manager, Marli Goussard said they currently have 31 different vendors at the CoCreate Hub, using free trading space, and hope to increase this number to 40 during next year.
Ranyaka marketing manager, Sonya Olivier said: “The Hub is about so much more than a trading, meeting and training space, though...Our vision for the Hub is that it becomes a place of purpose and meaningful connection. We want the Hub to feel like home for all who enter – and within the first two weeks, this is already the feedback we are receiving. Our slogan from day one has been ‘Unlock Stellenbosch’. This is what it’s all about. Unlocking economic opportunity, but also unlocking potential and forging new friendships.”
Cape Times