By Zandile Majavu
The sky is the only limit for Limpopo-born businessman, Talifhani Banks, who is working on connecting local township businesses on one platform to deliver food items to homes.
Banks has already donated 100 uniforms to drivers across Gauteng, who will be delivering food for the Spaza Eats platform that launched in July last year.
The platform is meant to solve limited access to opportunities for townships, under-representation of local cuisine and support local entrepreneurs.
“Our townships and small towns are not connected. We needed an economic engine that connects restaurants, groceries, and e-commerce to create trade and jobs within our communities,” Banks told Vutivi News.
“Spaza Eats in partnership with the Small Enterprise and Finance Agency will release a fund soon that is targeting to create jobs for delivery men in the townships and small towns across the country.”.
Banks, who is also the CEO of thriving business, Analytics X, said that more businesses were now on the platform, with Spaza Eats boasting choices from more than 2800 restaurants, 120 BP Express stores, and multiple e-commerce suppliers.
“Many talented chefs and entrepreneurs in townships and small towns lack the resources and exposure to grow their businesses. By partnering with Spaza Eats, these local culinary gems can gain access to a wider customer base, receive mentorship, and expand their reach, fostering a thriving ecosystem of homegrown businesses,” he said.
Banks, who understands the culture of township cuisine, said that Spaza Eats was a user-friendly and intuitive online platform, accessible through its mobile app.
“Our technology driven solutions allow customers to effortlessly browse through an extensive array of restaurants, grocery stores, and eateries to find their favorite meals or explore exciting new dishes,” the entrepreneur explained.
Banks started his first business at the age of 10. He has a background in statistics and econometrics and worked in corporate and consulting before launching an analytics advertising business.
Analytics X is a four-time-award-winning medium-sized enterprise and data tech company in the country, led by Banks who has over 15 years’ experience in business strategy, management consulting, data science, and technology implementation.
