Andrew Charman, Leif Petersen and Thireshen Govender
“Township Economy” published by the HSRC Press reflects on over a decade of primary research in 10 townships of South Africa and Namibia.
Now in its Second Edition!
Our book….
Township Economy provides a unique insight into township informal business and entrepreneurship. It is set in the post-apartheid period, in the third decade of Africa’s democracy and draws on evidence collected from 2010-2018 with over 15,000 individual businesses within the context of South Africa’s informal economy.
The book focuses on micro-enterprises, the business strategies of township entrepreneurs and the impact of autonomous informal economic activities on urban life. By using a range of spatial, economic and qualitative lenses we have sought to dissect the township economy as comprehensively as possible in order to develop insights for supporting sustainable economic development at the grassroots level of entrepreneurship.
We consider topics such as;
- Entrepreneurs and survivalists – who are these business owners? Where do they operate? How do they come to be in business?
- Land rights and uses – land use systems, opportunities and constraints of land in the township
- Spatial ordering – the neighbourhood economy, the role of public and private infrastructure, street life
- High streets and township business pioneers and the characteristics for business growth – including a case study in Katatura, Namibia
- Public transport – the spatial economy of township transport from minibus to amaphela taxis and the notion of violent entrepreneurship
- Grocery retailing – the transition of this sector away from home-based, survivalist businesses to entrepreneurial enterprises, and rapidly evolving but problematic competition between and against these businesses
- Shebeens and liquor trading – The nature of the township liquor retailing sector in the context of South Africa’s moral panic and their criminalisation
- Food service and food security – the township food system and public health
- Services such as hair care, child care and traditional medicine
- Business strategy – coping with risk, social institutions and raising money
Our concluding analysis examines the influence of power as a tool to dominate and control and thus constraint inclusive opportunities. In conclusion we seek to explore the notions of protection for township businesses from the power of corporate business and inappropriate regulation, containment of the spread of informality – especially where that brings about negative social consequences, and disruption and experimentation in order to stimulate change and dynamism in this important economy.
We would like to think that while peer reviewed, “Township Economy” is more than an academic text with relevance to anyone who seeks to understand the true nature of where the majority of residents work in South Africa’s economy. Crammed with maps, photos, diagrams, case studies and insights it is especially relevant to academic researchers, university students and specialists in business studies, urbanism, politics and socio-economic development.
Get your copy –
If eligible, you may be able to gain an open access version of our book online at https://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/open-access
Otherwise, support grass roots scholarship and order your copy online here:
https://www.exclusivebooks.co.za/product/9780796925770
https://www.loot.co.za/product/township-economy/dfds-6820-g770
https://www.rienner.com/title/Township_Economy_People_Spaces_and_Practices