At The Healing Africa Foundation, we believe that dignity and opportunity should not be reserved for a few. We exist to restore hope, empower people and create pathways out of poverty through sustainable development. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through Enterprise Development Initiatives – investing time, resources and capital to help small businesses grow into thriving enterprises that can employ others, build resilience and change the narrative in township communities.
Too often, township economies are seen only through the lens of survivalist trade – informal businesses that operate from backyards, spazas and roadside stalls. While these businesses play a vital role in keeping households afloat, they often lack the resources, compliance or credibility to scale. This is why The Healing Africa Foundation crafts projects around entreprise development. By providing governance, accountability and compliance oversight, we give entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to formalise their businesses, attract funding and access wider markets.
For us, enterprise development is not charity. It is investment in socio-economic development projects in South Africa – a way of breaking the historical cycles by unlocking the talent and tenacity that already exists in our communities. For donors, corporates and philanthropists looking for a credible NPC in South Africa that is aligned with B-BBEE socio-economic development spend, Section 18A tax compliance and ESG principles, The Healing Africa Foundation offers a trusted platform to ensure your contributions deliver measurable and sustainable impact.
The Tshala Hub Initiative: Turning Carpenters Into Entrepreneurs
One of our flagship Enterprise Development projects is the Tshala Hub initiative, developed in partnership with Sonae Arauco South Africa, a leading global manufacturer in the wood-based panel industry. Under this project, we set out to identify and support carpenters from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them the chance to move into the realm of formal business ownership.
The process was competitive. Applicants had to demonstrate both skill and potential; and from a strong pool of entries, five talented participants were chosen. Each of them had already been working in carpentry – building furniture, cutting and edging or supplying local homes and businesses. What they lacked was not determination, but the resources and know-how to grow.
Through the Tshala Hub, these five entrepreneurs received:
- Carpentry tools to expand their production capacity.
- Working capital for essentials like board, fuel and technology.
- Business development support, including a business plan and marketing plan.
- Financial literacy training to manage income and expenses with confidence.
- Access to shared spaces, including an office and a professional showroom to meet clients.
- Brand presence and credibility, enabling them to compete in formal markets.
The goal was simple but transformative: to take small carpentry operations and give them the structure, visibility and compliance needed to operate as fully-fledged businesses.
Why This Matters
According to Statistics South Africa, there are over 10 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 – and of these, a staggering 7.7 million are not in employment, education or training. Many have simply given up hope of finding jobs. Enterprise development offers another path: the chance to create work by way of youth development programmes South Africa that allow people to work for themselves rather than wait for opportunities.
The carpentry and manufacturing sector in South Africa is full of potential, from kitchen and wardrobe manufacturers to furniture makers and office suppliers. By equipping these carpenters with the resources and credibility to supply Johannesburg’s markets, The Healing Africa Foundation and Sonae Arauco were able to empower the black-owned small businesses enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
For the participants of Tshala Hub Project, this was not just about receiving tools, skills and funding. They now have the confidence to meet clients in professional spaces, the systems to track and report on their finances and the marketing tools to grow their customer base.
Healing Africa Foundation approaches every initiative: start strong, build sustainably and grow with accountability. Donors and corporates who partner with us can be assured that every project is governed with transparency, aligned with ESG guidelines and reinforced by our ability to issue Section 18A certificates. This means your contribution is both tax-deductible and life-changing – a rare combination of financial benefit and social impact.
A Call to Partnership
The story of the Tshala Hub carpenters is a glimpse of what is possible when talent meets opportunity and when B-BBEE verified charities and credible non-profit organisations in South Africa partner with corporates and donors to invest in the future.
At The Healing Africa Foundation, we believe that enterprise development is one of the most powerful tools to change the narrative in township communities. It restores dignity, creates jobs and plants seeds of growth that ripple far beyond one entrepreneur.
We invite you to partner with us. Whether as a donor, corporate or collaborator, your support ensures that more businesses can be formalised, more families can find stability and more young people can see a future worth building.
Because when we invest in people, we don’t just build businesses. We build futures.