Youth Mobile Spaza Micro-Enterprise Initiative
Powered by 938 FM & Ignite Impact Foundation
Building Township Entrepreneurs. Creating Real Economic Opportunity.
South Africa's township economy is one of the most powerful informal economic systems on the continent. Yet thousands of capable young people remain locked out of entrepreneurship due to limited access to capital, mentorship, and compliance knowledge.
The Youth Mobile Spaza Micro-Enterprise Initiative is designed to change that.
In proud association with 938 FM and the Ignite Foundation, this initiative will empower young people from Alexandra and Tembisa to launch fully supported micro-enterprises that serve their communities while building sustainable livelihoods.
What The Initiative Does
The programme equips selected youth with a complete turnkey business package, enabling them to operate mobile spaza shops that can trade across high-demand areas such as taxi ranks, schools, community events and residential neighbourhoods.
Each selected entrepreneur receives:
- Petrol-assisted mobile spaza tricycle
- Startup stock inventory
- Branded uniforms and business identity
- 12-month structured entrepreneurship development programme
- Professional accounting and compliance support
- Business mentorship and performance reviews
This ensures each participant launches a legitimate, compliant and professionally supported business – not just an informal trading activity.
Why Youth Mobile Spaza Businesses?
Unlike traditional fixed spaza shops, mobile spaza businesses allow entrepreneurs to:
- Trade where demand is highest
- Move between communities and events
- Reduce location risk
- Increase revenue opportunities
- Adapt to changing market conditions
Mobility creates resilient, agile township businesses.
Our Pilot Programme
The first phase of the initiative will launch 10 youth-owned businesses in:
- Alexandra Township
- Tembisa Township
Participants will be carefully selected in collaboration with local community leadership and ward councillors, ensuring responsible and committed young entrepreneurs are supported.
Selection will prioritise:
- Unemployed youth
- Individuals with entrepreneurial ambition
- Community accountability
- Gender inclusion
- Commitment to completing training and mentorship
The Impact
By supporting this initiative, donors help create:
- 10 fully operational youth-owned businesses
- 10 compliant, registered township enterprises
- Improved access to everyday essentials in communities
- Strengthened local supply chains
- Youth participation in the R900 billion township economy
- A scalable model for future township expansion
This is economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.
Funding Goal
To launch the pilot programme we are raising:
R350 000
This will fund the full business package for 10 youth entrepreneurs, including equipment, stock, branding, and the full mentorship programme.
Investment Per Youth Entrepreneur
| Item | Investment |
|---|---|
| Petrol-Assisted Mobile Spaza Tricycle | R12,000 |
| Startup Stock | R10,000 |
| Branding & Uniform | R3,000 |
| 12-Month Mentorship & Development Programme | R10,000 |
| Total Per Entrepreneur | R35,000 |
How You Can Support
We invite corporates, foundations, entrepreneurs, and members of the public to support this initiative through:
- Corporate Social Investment (CSI) partnerships
- Corporate sponsorship
- Business donations
- Individual contributions
- Strategic partnerships
Every contribution helps launch a young entrepreneur into the township economy.
Corporate Partnerships
If your organisation would like to partner with this initiative through sponsorship, CSI funding, or enterprise development programmes, please contact us directly.
Email: info@938.co.za
Website: www.938.co.za
A Partnership for Real Impact
The Youth Mobile Spaza Micro-Enterprise Initiative is more than a project, it is a pathway for young South Africans to participate meaningfully in the economy, build dignity through entrepreneurship, and strengthen township communities.
Together with 938 FM and the Ignite Foundation, we can turn opportunity into ownership.
Help us launch the next generation of township entrepreneurs.
Choose How You Want to Make an Impact
Every contribution helps launch youth-owned township businesses and build sustainable economic participation. Select a giving level below or contribute any amount that works for you.
Sponsor One Entrepreneur
R35,000
Sponsor the complete launch of a youth-owned mobile spaza business.
Your contribution funds a full turnkey enterprise including a petrol-assisted mobile spaza tricycle, startup stock, branding, and a structured 12-month mentorship and compliance programme.
This investment allows one young entrepreneur to start a sustainable business, generate income, and serve their community.
Your Impact
- Launch one fully equipped township micro-enterprise
- Support one youth entrepreneur for 12 months
- Contribute to sustainable township economic growth
Donation Amount: R35,000
Fund Half a Business
R17,500
Partner with other donors to help launch a youth entrepreneur.
Your contribution funds half of the start-up investment required to equip a mobile spaza business. Combined with other supporters, this ensures another young entrepreneur receives the tools and mentorship needed to enter the township economy.
Your Impact
- Co-fund a youth-owned enterprise
- Support youth entrepreneurship and economic participation
- Help build a scalable township business model
Donation Amount: R17,500
Community Contribution
Any Amount
Every contribution matters.
Community donations help fund start-up inventory, mentorship programmes, financial literacy training, and the operational support needed to ensure these businesses succeed.
Whether large or small, your contribution helps build opportunity, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods for young entrepreneurs.
Your Impact
- Support youth entrepreneurship
- Strengthen township economic participation
- Help expand the programme to reach more communities
Donation Amount: Choose your amount
Where Your Money Goes
Every contribution to the Youth Mobile Spaza Micro-Enterprise Initiative directly funds the launch and development of youth-owned township businesses.
Our goal is simple: equip young entrepreneurs with the tools, training and support needed to build sustainable enterprises.
Below is the full investment required to launch one youth entrepreneur.
| Investment Area | Amount |
|---|---|
| Petrol-Assisted Mobile Spaza Tricycle | R12,000 |
| Startup Stock Inventory | R10,000 |
| Branding & Uniform | R3,000 |
| 12-Month Business Development & Mentorship Programme | R10,000 |
| Total Investment Per Entrepreneur | R35,000 |
What This Funding Makes Possible
With your support, each entrepreneur receives:
A Fully Equipped Mobile Business
A petrol-assisted mobile spaza tricycle allowing them to trade where demand exists, from neighbourhood streets to taxi ranks and community events.
Startup Inventory
Essential goods that allow the entrepreneur to begin trading immediately and generate revenue from day one.
Professional Business Development
A structured 12-month programme including financial literacy training, business operations guidance, and enterprise development.
Accounting & Compliance Support
Professional assistance with business registration, tax compliance, bookkeeping, and formalisation, ensuring the enterprise operates legally and sustainably.
Mentorship & Growth Support
Ongoing mentorship and performance reviews designed to help each entrepreneur build a resilient and scalable business.
Our Commitment to Accountability
The initiative is implemented in partnership with 938 FM and the Ignite Foundation, with a clear focus on transparency, impact measurement, and long-term sustainability.
Donors and partners will receive:
- Programme updates
- Impact stories from beneficiaries
- Youth Day launch coverage
- Media exposure through 938 FM platforms
- Reporting on the businesses created through the initiative
The Bigger Vision
This pilot programme launches 10 youth-owned businesses in Alexandra and Tembisa.
But the long-term goal is far bigger:
To create a scalable model for youth entrepreneurship across South Africa's township economy.
With the right partners, this initiative can grow to support hundreds of young entrepreneurs in the years ahead.
Support the Initiative
To make a contribution, please use the banking details below:
Bank: Capitec Bank
Account Name: Ignite Impact NPC
Account Number: 2515127165
Branch Code: 470010
Reference: Youth Mobile Spaza Initiative
For corporate partnerships: info@938.co.za