Lutho Putuzo, founder of PurasTech Hub, working on a cellphone
In the rural villages of the Eastern Cape, where unemployment is high and economic opportunities are scarce, a quiet industrial revival is taking shape.
What began as a small business development initiative in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality less than three years ago has already helped channel more than R2.5 million into black and youth-owned enterprises. More importantly, it is helping transform informal businesses into sustainable companies capable of creating jobs, developing skills and keeping local wealth within rural communities.
The programme, founded by local development practitioner Luyolo Mapekula in November 2023, was built on a simple belief: rural communities already possess the talent and resources needed to grow local industries. What has often been missing is structured support.
“The programme plan was to formulate a business strategic plan that will create a solid base for local industrial development using available resources,” Mapekula said.
