​Lerato Mailoane
The Gauteng Provincial Government has set up an R800 million Partnership Fund which will unleash and benefit township businesses as stipulated in the Township Economic Development Bill. 
That is according to Gauteng Premier David Makhura who was speaking during a Ntirhisano Community Outreach programme in Diepsloot. 
The provincial executive is using Ntirhisano to share information about the Gauteng Township Economic Development Bill which will bring significant developments that will change the face of townships businesses and how they are regulated.
Addressing the packed Diepsloot Youth Centre Community hall on Tuesday, Makhura said once in law, 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.
Potential of township businesses in job creation is essential in addressing some social issues such as social inclusion, poverty alleviation and equitable access to opportunities in society.
The Bill promotes 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 with big business," said Makhura.
The premier believes that when township enterprises receive support, they can take charge of the township economy.