From Workshop to Wealth: Cape Town Extends FurnTech’s Role in Township Growth
In the heart of Nyanga, the steady hum of saws and the smell of fresh wood tell a story of transformation. For over a decade, the FurnTech Centre has been shaping more than furniture, it has been shaping futures.
This week, James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, announced that the partnership with FurnTech will be extended until 2034, ensuring the workshop remains a springboard for small businesses and young people looking to build livelihoods. Vos described the centre as a symbol of possibility in the township economy.
“I have seen firsthand how FurnTech changes lives,” Vos said. “I’ve handed certificates and starter toolkits to graduates who are now running their own businesses. That’s why it is wonderful to now support the continuation of a project I witnessed at the start.”
Since opening in 2013, FurnTech has helped launch 94 small businesses, created 158 jobs, trained 149 learners, and supported entrepreneurs who have generated more than R3,2 million in turnover.
The facility was born out of a partnership with the City, which provided municipal depot space at a nominal lease, co-funded equipment, and contributed R500 000 to set it up. For the entrepreneurs and trainees, it has been a lifeline. Vos said the extension will give small businesses certainty to grow without the burden of high rental costs.
“The FurnTech Centre is not just a workspace, it is a launchpad for opportunity,” he said. “Here, unemployed youth are equipped with practical skills in woodwork manufacturing, while small business owners are given the tools, space, and support to succeed.”
The agreement was made possible through the collaboration of the City’s Economic Development and Investment Department and the Property Transactions Department, who worked alongside FurnTech to turn a municipal property into a thriving hub of skills and opportunity. Vos noted that their dedicated efforts ensured the long-term success of the partnership.
Manufacturing remains one of Cape Town’s most significant economic sectors, accounting for thousands of jobs across industries from furniture and textiles to food and beverages. By backing initiatives such as FurnTech, the City aims to unlock more value in the sector, particularly in communities where access to opportunity is often limited.
Looking ahead, Vos noted that his department is preparing to publish a draft manufacturing support policy later this year. According to him, the policy will set out measures to attract further investment into Cape Town’s manufacturing industries and make it easier for companies to set up operations or expand their factories in the metro.
Behind the numbers are stories of township entrepreneurs who now supply retailers, or young trainees who have turned technical lessons into stable jobs. For them, the Centre represents hope, and for Nyanga, it represents progress.
