Local non-profit organisation, Ranyaka Community Transformation (Ranyaka), has been awarded a ten-year lease for the old Victoria Street Clinic by the Stellenbosch Municipality.
This after Mayor, Advocate Gesie van Deventer and her Local Economic Development team called for proposals to turn the premises at 7 Victoria Street into a local entrepreneurial development hub.
Workspaces for B-BBEE Entrepreneurs
Ranyaka successfully presented plans to transform the disused clinic into a space that will promote economic inclusion for all Stellenbosch communities.
This new, centrally-located facility will offer affordable, co-working and office space to local B-BBEE entrepreneurs, as well as retail space where these entrepreneurs can sell their products.
Business Development Training
Ranyaka will also focus on business development training and local supply chain inclusion, both of which are current challenges for B-BBEE and smaller township businesses. In turn, residents, students and tourists in central Stellenbosch will enjoy access to local products and services.
“The opening of this new facility forms part of a broader, ongoing business development process aimed at facilitating local economic inclusion in Stellenbosch,” explains Marli Goussard, Enterprise Development Manager at Ranyaka.
Mayor van Deventer says: “This building has been a challenge to the municipality for some time. The proposed development will create an exciting space filled with opportunities for our residents and provide especially B-BBEE entrepreneurs with unique support and space for increased participation in our local economy. Ranyaka’s extensive experience in assisting grassroots community transformation will provide our residents with a significant boost.”
Unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur Mercia Jacobs from Have Mercy Cakes in Kylemore is excited about the fact that the new hub will provide space where entrepreneurs can introduce their products and services to broader Stellenbosch. “I also believe that entrepreneurs from all Stellenbosch communities need a space for networking, mentorship and training,” says Mercia.
Lerato Mtiya from Yeyethu Designer Studio in Kayamandi agrees, saying the development will unlock wonderful opportunities for entrepreneurs like himself.
“For me as a fashion designer, the hub will be an exciting place where I can showcase designs that Stellenbosch has never seen before.”
Should sufficient funding be received, plans are for renovations to the building to commence in the first quarter of 2020. This will be an all-inclusive process. “We are inviting the Stellenbosch community at large to come and add their voices to the design process,” says Goussard. “This is a community project, so community input is crucial. Together, we can seek a solution that is both impactful and relevant to the needs of local communities.”
Public Participation
Public participation days are planned for 17 – 19 October 2019, when all members of the Stellenbosch community, residents and students, potential business mentors as well as corporates who are looking to invest are invited to visit the old Victoria Street Clinic to take a tour of the building and view the proposed plans. Visitors are invited to drop in any time between 09h30 and 16h30 on the Thursday or between 09h30 and 18h30 on the Friday and Saturday. The Ranyaka team will be on-hand to discuss the plans and receive community input.
Ranyaka has been extensively involved in co-creating sustainable solutions in marginalised communities since 2013 and currently works in 12 towns and neighbourhoods across South Africa as, amongst others, the implementing agents of Nedbank’s Proud of my Town initiative.
For further details, please contact Marli Goussard on 084 212 2000 or marli@ranyaka.co.za