Cape Township Times

Family Best Buying Groups Hits Townships 'Big Time'

Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

There's probably never been a township business venture likes this one.

It is the Family Best Buying Group (FBBG),which by all accounts, is set to take township business to greater heights.

The FBBG, a first 100 percent black owned buying group in the country, has been labelled elsewhere as the real Black economic empowerment (BEE)'.

With the emerge of FBBG, at a crucial time in township business, as stubborn unemployment makes it hard for business to flourish, this initiative is welcome relief to township inhabitants.

Most notably though, is that the FBBG aims to address the challenges being faced by township businesses including the matter of malls that are mushrooming in townships. 

And economic spin off can not be over ruled, with more job creating being one of them.

Initially, the Family Best Buying Group is an initiative of The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) and its affiliate, ACHIB ( African Co-operative for Hawkers and Informal Businesses) who joined hands with Advance Cash and Carry, one of Gauteng’s biggest independent distributors of groceries and fast moving consumer goods. 

Advance Cash and Carry is owned by the entrepreneurial Kalla family, owners of Amka Products some of whose brands include Soft ‘n Free, Easywaves, Black like Me, Revlon among others.

Lindiwe Zulu ,Minister of Small Business Development recently remarked at a business gathering that the Family Best venture is a clear testimony of people taking action, “we have people who are saying it’s possible and we are going to do it’’.

Zulu said she viewed local structures of government as vital to support the small business sector and that the role of the national government was to create a more conducive environment for small business growth.

She emphasized the importance of supporting the growth of township businesses. “This partnership will go a long way in stabilising trade and healthy competition among township shop owners.” 

Above all else though, is that an opportunity to change township business and family life is now a reality. 

Stakeholders including township business forums must fully utilize the opportunity presented by the Family Best Buying Group.

Thandisizwe Mgudlwa