BOSA Calls for Repurposing of Unused Land and Buildings for Township Entrepreneurs

On Workers’ Day, 01 May 2025, the streets of Dobsonville, Soweto, pulsed with renewed energy as Build One South Africa (BOSA) led a powerful march, advocating for the repurposing of abandoned buildings to stimulate township entrepreneurship. Under the leadership of Mmusi Maimane MP, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster MP, and Ayanda Allie MPL, the movement called on the City of Johannesburg Municipality to relinquish unused land and buildings, enabling small traders to establish businesses and create desperately needed jobs.

Standing in front of Umthombo Hall—once bustling with economic activity but now neglected—the BOSA leadership underscored the urgency of transforming these vacant spaces into thriving commercial hubs. With South Africa grappling with over 11 million unemployed citizens, the organization emphasized that Workers’ Day should not only celebrate those in jobs but also spotlight the millions who remain jobless and eager to contribute to the economy.

“This is not just about buildings—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and economic liberation,” said BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane during his address. “These abandoned structures symbolize lost potential. By turning them into thriving business spaces, we can reignite economic activity and move closer to our vision: a job in every household.”

The initiative gained significant traction among local entrepreneurs, many of whom shared personal testimonies of struggling to secure affordable business premises. “We are ready to work, we are ready to trade, but we are shackled by the lack of access to commercial spaces,” said one township business owner. “If the city hands over these buildings, we can turn them into hubs of innovation and commerce.”

BOSA’s proposal to the City of Johannesburg is clear: release abandoned properties to aspiring entrepreneurs, creating a sustainable pathway toward economic growth and job creation.

As the march concluded, the atmosphere remained charged with anticipation, with many hopeful that the municipality would heed the call. The movement marks not just a march but a practical and actionable demand for economic empowerment—an imperative step in reshaping the township economy for future generations.