10 eKASILABS HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

Morakane Mosupyoe, Gauteng’s MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment has announced that Gauteng government is working towards creating the Silicon Valley of South Africa. This was announced in her post SOPA media address on Thursday.

“The Innovation Hub (TIH) is on track on this development and during the 2020/21 Financial Year, we will begin to implement a Strategic Partnership Strategy utilising the concept of the Quadrupole Model. The Strategy will guide the process of the Innovation Corridor District and enhance collaboration with research institutions, government, industry, academia, and civil society, to further effect the innovation corridor concept, and cluster formations,” said Mosupyoe.

She revealed that The Innovation Hub has developed at least 10 eKasiLabs in all corridors in the following areas: Soweto, Mamelodi, Garankuwa, Khatorus, Alexandra, Tembisa, Mabopane, Mohlakeng, Sebokeng, and Kagiso.

“A total of 320 companies are currently being incubated through the above listed eKasiLabs. We incubate innovative companies in the smart industries, advance manufacturing, green economy (water, waste and energy) and bio-economy. The service offering to companies in the eKasiLabs include access to funding, infrastructure, networking opportunities; Intellectual Properties support, business development training, and mentorship with a view of having these companies graduate and move to commercialization. Over 566 companies have been incubated,” she announced.

In addition to a focus on technology, Mosupyoe said there are a number of developments currently underway within the province. They include the Southern Precinct Top Structures (Building 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8) in the ORTIA SEZ expected to be completed by end of 2021/22 financial year.

Mosupyoe also said Gauteng government is also planning to develop five township agro-processing facilities in all provincial corridors, over the next five years.
“Currently, we have identified buildings in Munsieville (West Rand) and Diepsloot (Johannesburg) which we will refurbish during 2020/21 FY. For the remaining three sites, we are engaging with relevant Municipalities to identify buildings which we will be refurbished as agro-processing facilities,” she announced.