KasiNomics emerged as a book from the insights, practices, and case studies of the township economy. “And here is the thing, if someone comes to you and asks you if you are unemployed, you are going to say ‘yes’ but meanwhile you are renting out a backroom for let’s say R9,000 (tax- free) ($480) but you will still say you are unemployed.” The idea of the sector is also rapidly changing, says Bulelani Balabala, a township entrepreneur-developer and founder of Township Entrepreneurs Alliance. “Traditionally, backrooms were situated [in the back],” Balabala says. “And the back part of the house was not seen. And ideally, then, in a normal standard compound or house, you would have anywhere between two to about five of these backrooms.”

Source: The North Africa Journal December 22, 2023 18:44 UTC