Impact Hub Cape Winelands launched
6 min read
Impact Hub, a global network of more than 130 hubs in 70 countries, has officially launched in the Cape Winelands – the first Impact Hub in the Western Cape, and the second in South Africa. The new hub aims to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs seeking to make a difference in their communities, connecting them to government, academia, business and civil society to co-create solutions to some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
“Those closest to the societal challenges are also closest to the solutions,” says Marli Goussard, CEO at Impact Hub Cape Winelands. “Our role is to equip, connect and support local impact entrepreneurs and organisations so that solutions are not only designed by and for communities but owned by them meaning they benefit economically, not merely socially.”
She explains that when communities help create and own the solutions to their challenges, they’re not only more empowered and invested in making them work, but local ideas lead to practical, lasting change because they draw on real knowledge of what’s needed. “This builds trust, strengthens community ties and results in local initiatives that are more effective and fairer than solutions imposed from outside.”
Unlike traditional entrepreneurship incubators, Impact Hub Cape Winelands bridges academic research, policy influence and grassroots impact entrepreneurship.
Goussard points out that Stellenbosch and the wider Cape Winelands represent one of the starkest contrasts between wealth and poverty in the world. South Africa contends with some of the world’s highest levels of inequality, measured by the widely used Gini index. This inequality is manifested in skewed income distribution, unequal access to opportunities, and regional disparities.
- Government –to help design policies and local economic development plans that make it easier for local impact entrepreneurs to thrive.
- Universities and colleges –to bring impact innovation into teaching and research and co-develop ideas and prototypes with local communities.
- Non-profits –to find ways of unlocking economic value in the communities they serve, developing impact franchising opportunities for local impact entrepreneurs.
- Businesses –to support local suppliers, build local partnerships and make their B-BBEE spending count through enterprise and supplier development.
- Entrepreneurs and students –to join training programmes, access support and connect with other like-minded impact makers driving change.
- Funders –to provide patient, long-term funding and help measure what really makes a difference.
Plans are also underway to establish a dedicated Impact Hub space in Stellenbosch, creating a physical home for incubation, collaboration and community building.
“For us, success will be a thriving ecosystem of small, locally owned ventures in the Cape Winelands and beyond creating economic activity and dignity in vulnerable communities, supported by academia, government and business,” says Goussard.
To learn more, connect with Impact Hub Cape Winelands at https://capewinelands.impacthub.net/
