By Luzamo Sandlana
Three young entrepreneurs in Springs are turning plans into progress after receiving building materials from TCTA to expand their businesses, boost employment and transfer skills to local youth. Thato Phasha, Dimakatso Morwa and Fundiswa Zulu applied through TCTA’s youth entrepreneurship programme, which targets young business owners operating near the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Eastern Basin site. The initiative is run in partnership with TCTA’s AMD operator, Nafasi. According to Nafasi representative Linah Moeketsi, who oversees the programme on site, the expansion projects are on track. “The business expansion project is progressing well, with significant milestones achieved in recent weeks, where building materials have been delivered, and construction has begun.” Florence Ndhundhuma from TCTA’s Socio-Economic unit emphasised that the programme is designed to empower local entrepreneurs while creating jobs for unemployed youth living near TCTA projects. “We are proud to contribute to the social aspect in our projects. Each entrepreneur’s project has provided temporary employment while sharing their skills to encourage other young people to start their own businesses. We can never thank management enough for supporting this initiative,” she said.
All three entrepreneurs have now received their building materials and have begun scaling up their projects. In the process, they have enlisted unemployed youth from their communities, promoting skills transfer and creating much-needed work
opportunities.
Moeketsi told the TCTA Times that two of the local entrepreneurs have also been appointed as project managers to oversee the development of the piggery and poultry farms. She said this step has strengthened coordination and ensured smoother implementation. The entrepreneurs were further encouraged to select their own collaborators from within their communities.
Six residents have since been brought on board, deepening a sense of ownership and cooperation. Work on the piggery and poultry infrastructure is now underway, with the entrepreneurs and their teams pushing ahead to complete the projects.
This initiative reflects TCTA’s broader commitment to ensuring its projects deliver more than infrastructure. By empowering entrepreneurs, creating jobs and fostering skills in local communities, the programme demonstrates how TCTA’s work contributes to sustainable livelihoods and lasting socio-economic impact.
