Powering Purpose Through Enterprise: How Our Social Enterprises Fuel Sustainable Impact

Our goal at Just Grace is straightforward yet strong: to end Langa’s poverty cycle by means of education, skills development, and job creation. But we also know that generating lasting influence involves more than passion; it requires sustainability.
That is why we have integrated social enterprise into our DNA. Our commitment to sustainable development means building models that reduce dependency on donor funding while empowering our community to lead transformation. By means of creative, income-generating projects, we are demonstrating that goal and profit can coexist.
Why we chose a social enterprise model
The traditional donor model, while valuable, can be unpredictable. Long-term impact demands long-term funding, and we needed a strategy that could outlast funding cycles and economic fluctuations. Our model enables us to build long-term, sustainable funding, reducing our dependency on funders, creating jobs for the community and programme alumni, and promoting innovation. This allows us to test new, innovative ideas and respond to community needs.
MEET OUR ENTERPRISES
Rather than just business entities, our enterprises are extensions of our social mission, meant to inspire, educate, and empower.
Cela Coffee & Mobile Coffee Services
Cela Coffee, founded in the heart of Langa, is more than just a drink. It’s a brand that unites people, provides jobs, and celebrates township greatness. Cela Coffee, which roasts beans locally and trains young baristas, has now reached the shelves of Checkers supermarkets, marking a significant step toward scaling township-based products.
Sewing Products
Our sewing programme provides vital skills to youth aged between 18-27 years, allowing them to gain skills by producing high-quality handcrafted goods. The programme also includes personal and professional development training to help youth not only gain hard skills, but also essential soft skills needed in the job market.
Iingcali Accountants
This programme provides affordable, professional financial services to township enterprises while also offering SAICA-accredited training to aspiring young accountants. It’s a win-win situation: local businesses grow stronger, while youth receive practical experience toward professional certification.
Airbnb Social Impact experience
Our Airbnb Experiences create authentic cultural interactions that boost both tourism and income by bringing our community together with the outside world. Visitors learn about Just Grace’s history while also getting a first-hand experience of the different programmes.
Each of our enterprises is designed to provide more than just financial benefits. They are vehicles for real-world work preparation, providing our trainees with direct access to employers, projects, and business operations, as well as entrepreneurial pathways that boost confidence and the ability to launch independent companies.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We are just getting started. We’re looking into expanding Cela Coffee to new businesses and events in Cape Town and beyond. Our goal is to continue to grow, allowing us to continue serving even when donor environments vary. We are improving digital marketing and collaborations to increase exposure and sales across all enterprises. We’re thrilled about the journey ahead, but we realise it’ll need a village and a vision.
JOIN US IN POWERING PURPOSE
At Just Grace, we believe that social enterprise is more than a buzzword; it’s a tool for justice, dignity, and systemic change. Every coffee you sip, every handmade product you purchase, and every experience you book brings us closer to a more equitable South Africa. Support us. Partner with us. Walk with us. Together, we can turn enterprise into empowerment.
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