​Lerato Mailoane
The residents of Claremont in Roodepoort have called on government to put in place a radical business verification system when the Township Economy Development Act comes into effect.  
Small business owner, William Pieterse was concerned that chancers, particularly illegal immigrants, might rob deserving township businesses of benefiting from the Partnership Fund which is stipulated in the Township Economic Development Bill. 
The Gauteng Provincial Government has set up an R800 million Partnership Fund which will unleash and benefit township businesses.
"There should be a database that can be updated in real-time of all the businesses that apply for the fund so we as a community can verify if the business is indeed based in our area. Government should also set up offices in townships that will support the implementation of the bill, said Pieterse.
Pieterse raised these concerns during a Ntirhisano meeting aimed at sharing information about the Bill which will bring significant developments that will change the face of township businesses and how they are regulated.
Leading the meeting was Gauteng Premier, David Makhura who welcomed the residents' suggestions saying it will assist the executive when rolling out the legislation.
Makhura told the residents that the legislation would be a game-changer, as it would empower township businesses to take charge of the township economy.
"I am impressed with the engagement and am willing to take up this suggestion of the Department of Economic Development being based in our communities so we can ensure that the Bill is being implemented in our townships."
The Premier said the Bill will relax bylaws and bring small enterprises closer to mainstream economic opportunities and promote convergence between the formal and informal economies while creating employment.
In its full operation, the act will promote buying goods and services from township-based businesses and reserves certain activities, in rapid growth sectors, for South African citizens and those with permanent residency.
The premier said the Bill will provide an enabling environment for municipalities to develop taxi ranks into micro central business districts. This will enable the taxi economy to use its scale to grow supporting value chains and industries.
Additionally, it will support the development and promotion of a township-based real estate development model to convert areas with high commercial densities into township-high streets.
"We want to support all those who have backrooms in their yards. We want to support every transport node where shops are based; we also want to support urban agriculture.
"We also want the big retailers to support local businesses like spaza shops," added Makhura.