Move your head office to Soweto

While driving through Sandton the other day, I couldn’t help but stare and marvel at the magnificent head offices of some of our more prominent corporate citizens. I also asked the question: why were these buildings built in Sandton and not in one of our many townships that no doubt supply most of the workers who inhabit these buildings during the day? 

And no, Sandton is not a suburb of Alexandra.

I have no doubt the owners of these buildings and their tenants can rationalise why, but did anyone give a thought to locating these offices in say Soweto or, for that matter, any of our townships in Gauteng?

I can only imagine …

I can only imagine the impact locating all of these buildings in Soweto would have had upon our community. While the construction of the buildings would have brought an immediate boost to our local economy, the real, long term, and sustainable value lies in having a nucleus of buildings driving the development of local businesses through their demand for locally produced goods and services. I sense the impact of these investments in our township environment far outweighs the impact of the same investment in Sandton. Am I wrong?

Imagine life without having to spend three or more hours commuting between home and where we work. But I live in Sandton, I hear you say. Your choice I say, but relocating to Soweto is an option.

Instead we continue to perpetuate urban segregation on the basis of race.

Our townships, home to most citizens of our country, remain the dormitories they’ve always been. Out of sight, out of mind. A myth those who live in the suburbs visit on the weekend to show off their new shoes, new car, and take in the township vibe.

Licence to operate

In my previous post I talk about the relationship between the business family and the community within which it is located. There is reciprocity in this relationship. The business family supports those less fortunate in the community through its outreach programmes, while the community renews the business family’s “licence to operate”.

We might not think so, but South Africa and its corporate citizens operate on the same basis. If, by investing in Sandton, corporate South Africa thinks it’s demonstrating its commitment to the country and discharging in part its societal obligations, we’d better take a relook at our history and what we fought for prior to 1994. 

Expanding Sandton CBD is not on the agenda.

Looking to government won’t help us in this matter. Who lives in kasi anyway?

Build it and they will come

Township leaders should enlighten corporate South Africa and explain how business must renew its “licence to operate” beyond mere compliance with the laws of the land; that regulatory approval is easily withdrawn. The last time I looked you needed a “licence” to operate a bank, practice as a lawyer or accountant, administer a medical aid scheme, etc.

Most importantly, help corporate South Africa identify opportunities in the kasi landscape for them to rebuild their head office amongst the people, their customers.

Township leaders, you have the power, use it.

Next stop Rosebank, home to more vanity projects.