A local association called the Allandale Extension 14 and 15 Community Members, held a meet-and-greet to encourage support of businesses in the community.
The event was hosted on 24 September at Ext 14 on an open space near their houses.
Those in business came and showcased their talent
Refiloe Kheswa, who is head of the association’s social desk and also a local businesswoman, said the aim of the event was to get the community together. “Initially, the association was started as a crime prevention measure.
“After experiencing too much crime in our community we thought that for us to fight crime we had to be united and that’s when we put up a boom gate which each individual household donated towards.
“Again, we recently decided to showcase the businesses we have within the community so people can get to know who does what in the community itself.
“Today we have people selling food, catering, we have decorators, clothing designers, those selling weight loss supplements, fragrances, and healthy spices.”
Chairperson of the association, Shima Boikanyo added that through the meet-and-great events they can look for skills and services inside their own community before they go and hire people from outside the community.
Boikanyo added that their community had more than 300 houses and tenants. “We need to understand and know each other so that we can help each other, thus we encourage business in our community to stop crime.”
Kheswa concluded that they do have a community member who will help those who want to start their own businesses, to motivate and coach them as well, based on the experience that she has as an entrepreneur.
Contact the Allandale Extension 14 and 15 Community Members on 072 185 7506 (Refiloe) or 072 728 5061 (Shima).
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