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Lend to End [poverty]: is micro-lending, micro-franchising the answer in South Africa?

May 11, 2012

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending the sixth annual Lend to End [poverty], a fundraising event in support of the Townships Project. The initiative was started by a Canadian woman whose drive, tenacity and vision are admirable: Martha Deacon.

 

 

 

 

 

I had interviewed Martha Deacon, an astute businesswoman, on my show Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner several months ago. I was both inspired and moved by her vision to help end poverty in South Africa. Her inspired journey began upon hearing Nelson Mandela speak, who asked for help to “break the cycle of poverty” in his country. Martha heard the calling and her heart’s desire grew rapidly. She created the Townships Project, a Canadian non-profit jump-starting business in South African townships through micro-lending, micro-franchising and asset-based community development.

I am fascinated by the concept of micro-lending and micro-franchising. As Deacon, a firecracker of a woman, said in her speech that night: “Franchising is the most successful business model on Earth.”

It was during a trip to Africa that Deacon looked around and had an aha moment: when she asked the question: “What are the assets we have?”

“This is an empowering question,” adds Deacon.

According to Deacon, the question most asked instead is: What do we need? She adds: “This is a disempowering question.”

Ever since her aha moment, Deacon has been trailblazing in the area of micro-lending and micro-franchising in South Africa. How does micro-franchising work? Franchising takes a successful business and replicates it. Micro-franchising presents this same model to the poor (asset-based community development), creating affordable business ownership, reliable systems and family employment.

Brilliant.

Since 1999, The Townships Project has helped South African organizations make repayable, interest-bearing loans to people living in the townships, enabling borrowers to operate a range of small businesses, to become self-sustaining and break the cycle of poverty.

Back to the Lend to End [poverty] event…

What a fun night! It was held in Toronto’s newest venue, Arcadian Loft, which overlooks old City Hall. A highlight of the event was the silent auction, which featured AbantuArt Gallery – an installation and silent auction of Shona sculpture masks and artifacts from Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a sampling of various South African wines (my favourite). It also featured Dare to Wear Love – creation of Hoax Couture designers and founders, Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle.

Waleed Abdulhamid, a multi-instrumentalist, provided entertainment.

Congratulations to the team that pulled off this terrific event, including event chair, Lorraine Kirchmann, who gave a fantastic remarks.

You can read about the organization and success stories and more about it here.

Check out my interview (VIDEO) with Martha Deacon – click here.