Support your local microbusinesses

Fourways Can (community action network) encourages local residents to support micro traders this Mandela Day by stretching their 67 minutes into a lifetime.

Leader of the Fourways Can Janna Couto said, “Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact.

Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with supporting micro traders.”Couto said the goal is to uplift and support micro traders by helping them with the income, skills and knowledge they need to grow and flourish. “It’s about solidarity, mentorship and connecting them to the resources, not charity,” said Couto.

Community members are urged to support these micro traders by purchasing their products, collaborating in the form of mentorship, education, manufacturing and distribution support, marketing assistance, providing office and infrastructure support, giving time to help them sustain, manage and grow their business or providing funding.Locals can view selected micro traders’ stories by visiting www.storease.co.za

Couto explained that the website, marketing and development has been sponsored by the Fourways Can in the hope that it will help traders who don’t normally have access to resources, marketing platforms and social media channels.

“The motivation behind it was to provide a more sustainable way of helping people from the most vulnerable areas like Diepsloot and Pipeline. We have provided over 1 500 food parcels but the need is so great and continuous so this strategy was done in the hopes that we can help people take charge of their own livelihood with the help of the public, corporates and communities.”

Fourways Can have teamed up with Fourways Mall to offer traders an opportunity to showcase their products.Communications coordinator at Fourways Mall Veruschka Moodley said the initiative speaks to the ethos of the mall by building our community through sustainable development.

Moodley said Fourways Mall would provide tools for microtraders to develop their entrepreneurial skills through guided support.”Partnering with Fourways Can has allowed us access to a network of microtraders that already operate in our community and are eager to make a success of their hard-earned businesses. We believe that this partnership will grow beyond this initiative and help us make success, and more importantly, sustainably, a reality for these microtraders,” said Moodley.