Merchants, a South African business process outsourcing (BPO) company, launched a new township call centre hub in Alexandra this week in collaboration with Amandla Social Enterprises and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Alexandra is one of South Africa's impoverished townships, and the company believes the hub will provide job opportunities and economic growth to the residents

In a statement, the company stated that the newly opened call centre was particularly chosen to be located in the township in order to empower local talent and promote economic development.

The initiative's highlights include 96% of agents from historically disadvantaged communities, 83% of whom were previously unemployed, 78% of agents who are totally impact sourced, and 70% of agents hired from Alexandra Township.

Mathew Conn, chief revenue officer at Merchants, said: "Through our partnership with Amandla and DBSA, we're redefining employment by bringing job opportunities directly to the community, hiring locally, and creating meaningful careers that uplift and empower residents."

The Alexandra hub is part of the DBSA's DLAB Programme, a South African project aimed at providing meaningful access to opportunity routes and economic activities for young people.

According to DBSA, the plan also aims to unlock human creativity and innovation by investing in partnerships that improve livelihoods.

Merchants stated that its participation in the project reflects its commitment to impact sourcing, a business model that prioritizes local jobs and community development.

The company said: “By partnering with Amandla and DBSA, Merchants is contributing to the growth of the Alexandra economy, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting holistic education and skills development.”

Mathew added: "We believe that township hubs are the future of employment, and we're proud to lead this movement toward a more inclusive, empowered future for all.

"Our partnership with Amandla and DBSA demonstrates the potential for collaborative, community-driven initiatives to drive real change and create opportunities for economic growth."