We have a whole lot of small informal businesses in the townships, but in recent years most of the township youth are legally registering companies with the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), to register a company (Pty Ltd) in South Africa cost ZAR 175.00 which is around US$ 14. This has translated in a lot of small business operating in our Townships especially in the food and beverage sector, crating a couple of part time and full time employment opportunities.
The township is South Africa are called "Kasi", so we have Kasi Food, one of the Kasi Food I am writing about is callled Sphahlo or Kota, which is basically a quarter loaf of bread. The quarter of bread is cut and filled with various item, similarly used when making a sandwich, the Kota is made up of the basic ingredients, the bread, the chips (french fries), Atchar (Unriped mangoes mixed with spices), this typical Kota would cost around ZAR 10.00 or US $ 0.80.
The Kota (pronounced "quarter") prices range from ZAR 10.00 to ZAR 170.00 or US $ 0.80 to US $ 13.60. The prices are depends on which items are added into the Kota, we have two major types of Kotas are available at small retail styled establishment in townships. We have the healthy Kota, that are filled with items like, Lettuce, Mushroom and Avocados among other items, then we have the meaty Kota, which is filled with sausages, patties, chicken livers, chicken fillets among other items.
This delicious Kota are bought by people of all ages in the townships as a quick snack. The Kota business in South Africa is rapidly growing and changing in a positive way. Normally the Kota businesses where just small shack or spaza shops that would be somehow a little untidy, that now has changed because we as township dweller are taking back our economy and improving our services and product offices to compete with well-establish franchise chains such as Nandos and McDonalds. The fact that one can start a Kasi/Township business, with proper infrastructure and render professional services to customers in the township, at the same time providing products that are relative to the township is an added bonus.
In conclusion should you, your family or friends travel to South Africa, you should try to buy yourself a Kasi Kota and try it, you will never forget it. Please do not buy a Kota from the urban area or the suburbs, try to get one directly in the township, you can search for one of the outlets like NKUKU BOX.
(pictures courtesy of https://www.nkukhubox.com/
