Smart food cart programme participants during their onboarding.

The smart food cart programme, which promotes entrepreneurship, has been expanded to 12 more South African townships.

The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF), Township Distribution Model (TDM), and the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA) are supporting the initiative, which aims to empower township small businesses through technology-driven initiatives.

The project provides 7-inch tablets, a food cart with a GPS monitoring and reporting device, and an e-commerce app with three connected platforms (consumer ordering app, merchant app, and drivers' app) to aid in seamless last-mile delivery.

The food cart has digital payment devices that enable it to collect credit card payments and sell value-added services.

Furthermore, the plan will provide beneficiaries with start-up materials and working capital.

The parties agreed this week to expand the project to Brits, Soshanguve, Centurion, Midrand, Cosmo City, Tembisa, Boksburg, Brakpan, Soweto, Katlehong, and the Vaal.

50 South Africans, 30 female and 12 males from these townships were onboarded for the programme.

“This effort exemplifies the transformative potential that may be realised when organisations work together to achieve a common goal of community upliftment, the trio said in a statement.

It added: “This collaboration not only accelerates individuals' economic goals, but also gives an effective reaction to the hopelessness that is frequently felt within township communities. 

"This effort rekindles optimism and fosters the quest of economic independence by providing young entrepreneurs with vital resources, mentorship, and skills.

“In the face of misfortune, EPF, TDM, and CHIETA are united in sustaining livelihoods, replacing despair with the promise of a brighter future.”