The Townships Project

A Canadian Charity Building Better Businesses in
South African Townships

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Our Mission

The Townships Project is a Canadian charity overcoming poverty by promoting small-scale businesses with the aim of economic and social upliftment in South African townships.

Nelson Mandela

“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.”

Nelson Mandela -

Our Work in South Africa

Early Childhood Development (ECD)

During 2023, in partnership with Sesego Foundation and Charlottetown Rotary Club, 50 owners/practitioners were trained in two separate 3-month sessions to qualify for a NQF Level 5 certificate. This certificate enables these ECD centres to apply for government funding on a per diem basis for the more than 1500 children they are caring for.

Pink Print Farm Produce

In 2021, Nokwanda Mchunu won first prize at the Building Better Businesses Symposium for her butchery business which employed 8 local women. In April, 2022, catastrophic flooding destroyed most of her plant. With the help of the Pietermaritzburg Rotary Club, we were able to provide a significant proportion of disaster recovery funding

Kagiso Female Plumbers

Lwazi Lutya (33) and Thozama Gomba (30) own Zamava Construction and Projects, one of three female plumbing companies selected by PropertyPoint, our partners in Kagiso township near Johannesburg. They are part of a two-year training program, and will have access to a fully-equipped plumbing truck in addition to training in financial management, costing, pricing, sales and marketing.

Accredited Skills Training

The Townships Project actively seeks out South African Rotary Clubs and not-for-profits who want to provide and fund government-accredited skills training to townships entrepreneurs. This is an ongoing focus and we plan to fund at least one program of this kind each year, in addition to the Early Childhood Development business training.

Testimonials

Participants in our programs have praise for our work…

“It felt like I’d received my phone as a new gift when I learned all the details of how to grow my business with my cellphone.”

Nokwanda Mchunu

“Social media… this is a tool we need to have and utilize for marketing…engaging with customers. A customer found me on Facebook!”

Kerileng Sibisi

“I really appreciated getting holistic resources and advice.”

Sharri Cannell

Recent Updates

June 2, 2025

Celebrating a Century of Service: The United Church of Canada

A personal reflection on the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada, highlighting its signifcant influence on the formation and development of The Townships Project.

» Read Celebratin...

March 19, 2025

2025 Kagiso Hub Symposium

Martha Deacon attended a one-day Symposium in South Africa to meet with many of our partners and program participants as they shared their progress and achievements with each other.

» Read 2025 Kagis...

November 25, 2024

2024 Annual Giving Letter

Please download and read our 2024 Annual Giving Letter. With your support, we will continue to work on overcoming poverty in South Africa’s Townships.

» Read 2024 Annua...

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