Borne out of the hard lockdown, the Soweto Business and Events Council (SOBEC) has established an integrated events directory to revive the fortunes of suppliers, artists, and B&Bs in the township post the Covid-19 pandemic.

The newly formed non-profit organisation looks to revitalise local businesses in the events and tourism industries, helping them to thrive irrespective of public health restrictions.

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SOBEC Chief Executive, Happy Mehlape, says the NPO aims to address challenges faced by township businesses, that impact or hinder the ecosystem of events, including arts, culture, and B&Bs across the Johannesburg region.

It is hoped this will assist every business registered with SOBEC to comply with legislation and tackle red tape, which has been a barrier for many small businesses to get off the ground.

“We wish to redefine how business is portrayed in Soweto and narrate our own story as Sowetans,” she says.

Mehlape notes that SOBEC brings about solutions through innovative means.

“At SOBEC, we believe we are a chosen generation, business revolutionists for our township, called out for this season to transform and transcend beyond political affiliation,” says Mehlape.

The organisation does not have any board members, and decisions are taken by all twelve directors.

Registered in February 2021, the organisation specialises in events and marketing, information, and communications technology (ICT), finance, media production, and graphic design, as well as environmental awareness.

Tsietsi Molotsi, Assistant Marketing Director for SOBEC, says the organisation has created a formidable business hub which brings a tangible and necessary change to Soweto.

SOBEC is currently running a monthly “KleNa eKasi” campaign from the Orlando Industrial Park and a Self-Help Association for Paraplegics (SHAP) in Mofolo. The cleaning campaign was initiated in 2020 during Youth Month celebrations. It was followed by the “post-unrest” cleaning campaign in Moroka, aka “Rockville,” and Meadowlands mall.

“We have recently embarked on a gender-based violence (GBV) campaign which is ongoing,” Molotsi asserts.

SOBEC is currently self-funded and relies on hosting township events to raise capital for office administrative functions. Its lack of additional funding is its major challenge.

“Covid -19 has not been kind to the events industry as our organisation is mostly dependent on pulling crowds, which is outlawed. Without these numbers, there is little to non-revenue an organisation can make. The extra application of Covid-19 rules and the requirement of personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be made available for attendees also plays a pivotal role in revenue loss,” Mehlape laments.

She says her life has changed dramatically since she joined SOBEC.