Bulelani Balabala brings kasi business workshop back to Galeshewe to empower township entrepreneurs

Township entrepreneurship is getting a serious boost this July as one of South Africa’s most influential business voices, Bulelani Balabala, brings his dynamic Kasi Business Workshop back to Galeshewe. The initiative, which forms part of the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), is set to take place on Saturday, July 19, at the Home Defenders Boxing Gym in Galeshewe, Kimberley.

This year’s workshop promises to be more than just an event; it’s a movement for economic change, built on the back of over a decade of work by Bulelani and his team. With more than 80,000 township and rural entrepreneurs reached over the last 10 years and funding facilitated for over 500 small businesses, TEA has established itself as a cornerstone of township economic development.

Themed “Unlocking Market Access Through Smart Business”, the workshop coincides with Nelson Mandela Day celebrations and will dedicate 67 minutes specifically to empowering local entrepreneurs with practical tools, connections, and confidence to grow their businesses.

A Visionary Driving Township Change

At the helm of this movement is Bulelani Balabala, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, author, broadcaster, and youth ambassador. His journey began in a modest garage in 2006 when he founded Intercessor Army Franchising (IAF Brands). Today, he serves as the CEO of Township Entrepreneur Agency and is the visionary behind TEA.

Bulelani is widely recognised for his powerful impact on township development. His accolades include recognition from President Cyril Ramaphosa as a trailblazer, winning the SA Premier Business Award, and being named one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans. He lives by the mantra #GetThingsDone, a philosophy reflected in every aspect of his work—from hosting weekly business mentorship features on YFM to publishing regular articles on the township economy and leading grassroots development projects across South Africa.

His mission is clear: to enable township entrepreneurs not just to survive but to thrive in their local economies.

What to Expect at the Galeshewe Workshop

The Galeshewe edition of the Kasi Business Workshop is a full-day business experience designed for aspiring and active township entrepreneurs. Over the years, this workshop has helped over a thousand entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape alone, and this year promises to be no different.

1. Practical Lessons on Branding and Sales

Attendees will learn how to use social media effectively to reach target customers, turn likes into actual sales, and refine their brand identity, whether they’re selling from a community stall or operating an online store.

2. Business Exposure and Trading Opportunities

Local entrepreneurs will get the chance to showcase their products and services to a new audience. With tools like the Nedbank PocketPOS card machine made available, participants can make real-time sales and expand their customer base on the day.

3. The Kasi Pitching Challenge

One of the workshop’s highlights is the Kasi Pitching Challenge, where local entrepreneurs can pitch their business ideas for a chance to win R50,000 and a PocketPOS device to help drive future sales. Past winners include Galeshewe’s nurse-turned-entrepreneur, Keoweditse Gloria Moremedi, and Paballelo’s celebrated chef, Yvonne Links, proof that the challenge changes lives.

4. Mbawula Chat and High-Value Networking

The Mbawula Chat brings raw, inspiring conversations to life, sharing success stories from real entrepreneurs who’ve built brands from the township up. And unlike typical icebreakers, networking here is aimed at building genuine collaborations and long-term partnerships between entrepreneurs.

A Proven Track Record of Impact

The success of TEA and its Kasi Business Workshops isn’t just in its scale; it’s in the stories. People like Moremedi and Links are not just winning competitions; they’re creating jobs, generating income, and challenging the narrative that township businesses are small-time. A 2020 University of South Africa study found that SMMEs experiencing growth in turnover are key to long-term economic development, especially in underserved areas.

Yet, visibility remains a challenge. Bulelani’s mission is to tackle that by creating platforms like this workshop, where township entrepreneurs can learn how to grow their brands, access funding, and make connections that lead to market access and business growth.

Entrepreneurs looking to book stalls or register for the event can reach out via WhatsApp at 068 158 9484 or contact Thato Malebo at media@JoinUsForTEA.co.za or call 079 686 6125.

Building a New Economic Future

This workshop is more than a one-day event. It is part of a long-term vision led by a man who has turned his struggle into a platform for collective empowerment. As Bulelani often says, “Our people are not short of talent, just access and exposure.” With events like this and the backing of organizations such as Nedbank, the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance and others, the township economy is being given a stage to shine, and the results speak for themselves.

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a local innovator, or simply someone who believes in economic justice, this workshop is a space to learn, connect, and #GetThingsDone.