Cape Town, 22 November 2024 – With the announcement of the 2024 Board Development Fund (BDF) recipients, Cape Town Tourism is proud to empower two deserving businesses through funding and mentorship. This year, the fund recognises Imbizo African Coffee Co and MSI ShoeShine and Services, continuing its more than a decade-long legacy of supporting businesses vital to the local economy.
Since its inception in 2013, the BDF has provided financial and strategic support to dozens of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability in Cape Town’s economy. This year’s recipients will receive funding and tailored mentorships to expand their operations, boost efficiency, and showcase the entrepreneurial resilience that defines Cape Town’s business community.
Founded in 2017, Imbizo African Coffee Co sources premium beans from small-scale Fair-Trade farmers across Africa. Owner Xoliswa Tyeya operates a coffee bar on Long Street, supplies local retailers, and frequently showcases her products at events.
“This support is a game-changer for us! With the new equipment we will purchase, we will increase productivity, improve efficiency, and secure more retail partnerships. It’s an incredible opportunity for growth, expansion, and creating new jobs.”
MSI ShoeShine and Services has provided expert shoe cleaning, leather rehabilitation, and hotel gift shop management for eight years. The company also champions inclusivity by employing people with disabilities.
Owner Anda Mthulu, a person with a disability, says the funding will empower MSI to employ five additional people with disabilities and expand into other hotels and shopping centres.
“I see my business grow. I see my business expanding. This funding means a lot to me personally. We are now able to train and then employ more people with disabilities from disadvantaged communities.”
Both recipients will participate in a 12-month progress-monitored mentorship programme. The funding will be paid in quarterly tranches after the approval by mentors and Cape Town Tourism’s Chief Destination Officer.
Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, celebrated the recipients’ achievements:
“As Cape Town’s official Destination Marketing Organisation, we’re committed to empowering SMMEs that are integral to our city’s tourism sector. The BDF enables businesses to scale, innovate, and inspire through cash rewards and mentorship. These recipients epitomise the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Cape Town not just a destination, but a community of innovators.”
Tracy Mkhize, Chairperson of Cape Town Tourism’s Board, highlighted the fund’s broader impact:
“The Board Development Fund is a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in local talent. Imbizo African Coffee Co and MSI ShoeShine and Services are not just businesses – they’re examples of how entrepreneurship drives inclusivity, creates jobs, and contributes to our shared economic future. We are honoured to support their journeys.”
Previous BDF beneficiaries, including Jeep Tours Cape Town and ABCD Concepts, have achieved significant growth and international recognition, demonstrating the fund’s value to both individual businesses and Cape Town’s broader economy.
Cape Town Tourism remains committed to championing local businesses, fostering a thriving small business sector, and celebrating the innovation and resilience of Cape Town’s entrepreneurial community.
