Halalisana Township Incubator: Growing hope, opportunity and entrepreneurs in Kouga and the Aunty Lau Success Story
KOUGA – In the heart of Kouga, behind the vibrant orange walls of an old storeroom transformed into a welcoming innovation hub, lives a vision built on collaboration, compassion and community upliftment.
The story of the Halalisana Township Incubator is not simply about business development – it is about people, purpose and creating meaningful impact where it matters most.
Founded by Angela Hendriks alongside business partner Jonathan Kettledas, Halalisana was born from a desire to serve communities in a deeper and more sustainable way.
“The core has always been people,” Hendriks said.
Long before Halalisana became a recognised incubator programme, Hendriks envisioned feeding and supporting vulnerable communities through youth soup kitchens and outreach initiatives. Then, in 2022, shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic, an unexpected opportunity emerged when the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) called for proposals to establish a business hub in the Sarah Baartman District.
“At first, incubation was intimidating because my background is in industrial laundry,” Hendriks recalled. “But Covid-19 changed how many of us looked at life. Nobody knew what tomorrow would bring, and I asked myself: if I should leave tomorrow, what am I leaving behind?”
As a born-again Christian, Hendriks says her answer was clear.
“I wanted to impact lives the way God impacts people. I realised helping entrepreneurs could also change lives and communities.”
Recognising the need for specialised skills, Hendriks approached Kettledas, whose background in software development and business support complemented her passion for community empowerment.
“I’m realistic,” she laughed. “I knew I needed someone with the technical knowledge and experience, and Kettledas immediately believed in the vision.”
Together, they submitted a proposal among 150 applicants nationwide. Only four proposals were deemed viable – and Halalisana was one of them.
The journey, however, was far from easy.
“It took almost two years before all the paperwork was finalised and funding came through,” said Hendriks.
Finding suitable premises became one of their biggest obstacles. The team searched across Jeffreys Bay, Hankey and Patensie, while continuing stakeholder engagements without a physical office.
“On the very last day, we heard about this old storeroom,” Hendriks said. “At one stage, I was ready to return the funding because we simply could not find a space.”
Today, that once-forgotten building has become a vibrant centre for innovation and opportunity. Its bright orange exterior symbolises growth, energy and hope for aspiring entrepreneurs entering its doors.
For Kettledas, building the incubator also meant addressing another major challenge – skills development.
“We need to bring skills into Kouga, but finding those skills locally can be difficult,” he explained. “Human resources and specialised mentorship were some of our biggest challenges.”
Despite these hurdles, Halalisana quickly began changing lives, even before officially opening its doors.
One of their earliest success stories was local entrepreneur Laurentia “Aunty Lau” George, owner of a takeaway business. After reading about Halalisana in a local newspaper, she reached out to join the incubator programme.
“She had just won the Calamari King competition in St Francis Bay,” Hendriks explained. “But she struggled to meet growing demand because of limited finances and non-compliant facilities.”
Through collaboration with Kouga Local Municipality’s Finance and Economic Development Department, Halalisana helped secure support that enabled Aunty Lau to receive a food truck.
“We have watched her grow tremendously,” Hendriks said proudly. “She is eager to learn, always attends classes and never gives up.
Today, Halalisana boasts numerous success stories, helping entrepreneurs access funding opportunities, strengthen their operations and expand their businesses.
Kettledas describes their work as far more than simply providing funding assistance.
“People often think funding is the answer, but skills come first,” he said. “We focus on mentorship, legal compliance, marketing, human resources and sales skills so businesses become investment-ready.”
The incubator also assists entrepreneurs through “pre-incubation” – helping individuals register businesses, understand tax compliance and separate personal and business finances.
“Once entrepreneurs understand the operational side of their business, they can start focusing on vision and growth,” Hendriks explained.
A strong network of professionals further supports the programme, including chartered accountants and industry mentors who guide entrepreneurs throughout the incubation process.
One issue particularly close to Hendriks’ heart is the digital divide affecting young people across Kouga’s towns and rural communities.
“Many learners may have computer classes at school, but without access to computers or digital spaces, how can we expect them to confidently enter university or the modern workplace?” she asked.
She believes digital access could unlock hidden potential among the region’s youth.
“Just because young people are not exposed to technology does not mean they are not brilliant. If we invest in digital skills and access, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
Collaboration remains central to Halalisana’s vision for the future.
The incubator has built a strong working relationship with Kouga Local Municipality, participating in initiatives such as career expos and entrepreneurial development programmes.
“We sit together, share ideas and create pathways for entrepreneurs,” Hendriks said. “The municipality’s support has been incredibly valuable.”
Looking ahead, Kettledas envisions Halalisana becoming a fully-fledged entrepreneurial ecosystem hub within the next five years.
“We want to bring resources closer to rural communities – universities, private sector partners and development opportunities,” he said. “Our vision is to become a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurial growth.”
Hendriks shares that dream and hopes to one day own the incubator’s premises while expanding opportunities for manufacturing, skills training and enterprise development under one roof.
“We want entrepreneurs to learn, produce and sell in the same space,” she said. “Partnerships with institutions like TVET colleges could create practical training opportunities where everyone benefits.”
For Hendriks, the dream is bigger than a single organisation.
“It should be like a relay race where the whole of Kouga wins.”
Appropriately, the name “Halalisana” reflects the organisation’s mission: collaboration, growth and meaningful impact.
And for the people walking through those bright orange doors every day, it represents something even more powerful – hope for a better future.
Halalisana Township Incubator is located at Unit 1 Westgate, Plaatjiesdrift, Humansdorp.
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