City equips home-based businesses with toolkits
09 May 2025
This week, the City’s Economic Growth Directorate piloted its Home-based Business Toolkit in Grassy Park to help empower residents with practical information to establish a business at home.
Residents from in and around Grassy Park attended the Home-Based Business Toolkit workshop that was held at the Grassy Park Civic Centre.
The toolkit includes learning materials with input from all relevant City departments regarding regulations, a tool to test the feasibility of business ideas, and case studies to illustrate learnings from existing home-based businesses.
‘Understanding the factors that go into running a business from one’s residence can feel like a minefield for many. In Stats SA’s Survey of Employers and the Self-employed published in March, it found that almost eight out of 10 persons (71,8%) running informal businesses (which include home-based businesses) did not keep any records and that more than 80% of informal businesses were operating without licences or permits. This toolkit is intended to support business owners with the knowledge to make informed decisions for sustained growth.
‘We want to give people practical information and guidelines regarding conceptualisation, compliance, and a sense of the elements required for successfully managing a business in your home. This pilot programme is also an opportunity for our City officials to refine this initiative if necessary,’ said Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.
Subcouncil 18 chairperson, Councillor Kevin Southgate said he ‘fully supports’ this programme.
I welcome the initiative to equip our small business owners with the skills they need to operate effectively. By empowering entrepreneurs with the right tools and knowledge, we are investing in stronger communities,’ said Councillor Southgate.
Contact
For a copy of the toolkit, email Business.support@capetown.gov.za or informal.trading@capetown.gov.za
For more information on training and other opportunities from the City for the informal sector, contact informal.trading@capetown.gov.za or call 021 417 4043.
Further training for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs is available via the City’s Business Hub and the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Academy
Caption: Attendees at the Home-Based Business Toolkit workshop.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
