This document describes Township Patterns, a South African social enterprise that establishes cooperatives in townships. It trains township residents to produce goods that are then sold, providing income to cooperative members. The social enterprise aims to empower communities and provide sustainable livelihoods. It discusses how the cooperative model allows for local production and decision making. Township Patterns is evaluated based on metrics like quality, productivity and financial strength. It has partnered with organizations like the International AIDS Society to provide conference bags, promoting fair trade and supporting township communities.

1. A.S.B.
TOWNSHIP PATTERNS
A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN ACTION:
CASE STUDY
Christophe Labesse,
CEO
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 1
TOWNSHIP PATTERNS
A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN ACTION:
CASE STUDY
Christophe Labesse,
CEO

2. A.S.B.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 2
Current Global Status

3. A.S.B.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 3
Current Global Status

4. A.S.B.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 4
Current Global Status

5. A.S.B.
o An organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize
improvements in HUMAN and ENVIRONMENTAL well-being, rather than
maximizing profits for external shareholders.
o A Social Enterprise incorporates a goal of service to the community.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 5
What is a social enterprise?

6. A.S.B.
CAPITALIST
SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE
CHARITY
NGO
o Clear stated social objectives
that benefit the community
o Value-led organisations
o Established in reaction to a
social or economic problems
o Use trading activities to
achieve goals and financial
self-sufficiency
o Equal participation by the
workforce and stakeholders
rather than fulfilling
shareholders demands
o Income matches expenditure
as any surplus or profit made is
re-invested into the company
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 6

7. A.S.B.
o ”Bank for the poor”. Grameen Bank (GB) has reversed
conventional banking practice by removing the need for
collateral and created a banking system based on mutual
trust, accountability, participation and creativity.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 7
Grameen Bank

8. A.S.B.
o Trashy Bags is a social enterprise that recycles solid plastic
waste into fashionable bags and gifts. The factory and
showroom are located in Accra, Ghana.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 8
Trashy bags

9. A.S.B.
o Africa is the continent of the future…
o Social Enterprise in Africa becoming an emerging concept in an
emerging economy.
o Delivering value within developing economies but focused on people
and development, rather than profit
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 9
Yet in Africa…

10. A.S.B.
o 25th largest country in the world by area and the 24th most populous country
51 million people.
o A multi-ethnic nation and has diverse cultures and eleven official
languages.Largest economy in Africa
o Black African 79%, White 9.6%, Colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5%
o Tourists visiting South Africa has grown to 11Million in 2010.
o The percentage of the South African population with access to clean drinking
water has increased from 62% in 1994, to 93% in 2011. Access to electricity has
increased from 34% in 1994, to 84% in 2011.
10
South Africa

11. A.S.B.
The townships
o Urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of apartheid,
were reserved for non-whites (Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians).
Townships were built on the periphery of towns and cities.
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 11

12. A.S.B.
Township Patterns
A Social Enterprise
Afrique du Sud,
Bidonvilles
Non-Profit Org.
Training
Development
Logistics
Townships-based
Cooperatives
Manufacturing
Township Patterns cc
Marketing company
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 12

13. township® story board 1997-2012
1997-2003 2004-2008 2009-2012
Challenging the status-quo in township communities SECURITY – QUALITY - RELIABILITY
7 co-operatives
53 women
1998
1997
2010

15. Textile Factory
o Employee
o Based in Industrial areas
meaning employees have to
travel to work
o No empowerment
o No decision-making
o Very strict contract, working
hours
o Low salary
The co-op model
Township Co-op model
o Co-operative member
o Workshop located in
communities
o Co-operative serves as role
model in community
o Full responsibility for enterprise
management
o Assets belong to co-op
o Flexible model (working hours,
extra-time, …)
o Income varies but often higher
o Personal development
opportunities
a Fair Trade-based model…

16. A.S.B.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Stage 1:
Incubation
Stage 2:
Learner
Stage 3:
Leader
Stage 4:
Sustainable
Scorecard Focus
Area
- Quality
- Production
- Fair-trade
- Productivity - Group Dynamics
- Leadership
- New Clients
- Financial strength
Incentives -TM network
-Registration
-Represent TP at
Trade Shows
-Access to Group
schemes
- Support for
workshop set-up
- Priority for B2B
orders
- Financing upgrade
projects
- Priority for
fashion orders
- Support for
expansion
Training
Opportunity
- Business
Fundamentals
- Technical skills
- Quality Control
- Cross Training - Leadership and
management
-Entrepreneurial
skill developments
TM Focus -Quality Metrics - Productivity
Metrics
- Group Dynamics - Enterprise
Support
For each stage of development we identified a primary focus: quality, productivity, group
dynamics, and enterprise. While each of these elements is important at any stage in co-operative
development, the purpose is to ensure that the co-operative always has a specific goal for
improvement and area on which to focus its efforts

17. Co-operatives metrics

18. EIBTM , Barcelona
(2008, 2010, 2011,
2012)
IMEX, Frankfurt (2011)
ICCA since 2011
Township® in the MICE industry

19. township®
transforming the international conference
industry through sustainability
Why choose a township® conference bag?
 a sustainable business model
 eco-friendly materials
 proud WFTO member
 committed to disadvantaged
communities
 committed to sustainable meetings
trough GMIC
 recycling left-over bags back to
communities (SA schools)
 involved in Fair Trade advocacy
 supplying customers world-wide
Why choose a township® conference bag?
 a sustainable business model
 eco-friendly materials
 proud WFTO member
 committed to disadvantaged
communities
 committed to sustainable meetings
trough GMIC
 recycling left-over bags back to
communities (SA schools)
 involved in Fair Trade advocacy
 supplying customers world-wide
Township Patterns a member of

20. A.S.B.
International Aids Society
o Long lasting relationships
o 5,000 x Conference Delegate Bags in 2009 (Cape Town)
o Sponsorship to showcase township® at IAS Conference in
Washington, DC
o Regular contribution to the funding of Township NPO
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 20

21. A.S.B.
So, why not a township® Fair -Trade delegate
bag for your next conference?
Thank you very much
EIBTM Sustainable Hub, 2012 21
Visit us at EIBTM
Stand O165
townshipofficial
townshipSA