This week's presentation examines the unseen micro-enterprises of the South African township economy through a socio-spatial lens.

Through case studies, Andrew Charman will illustrate the surprising diversity of these small businesses, provide insights into the spatial patterns in which these micro-enterprises are organised, and highlight some of the barriers that hinder the growth and formalisation of businesses in this largely under-reported segment of the South African economy.

Andrew Charman is a Co-Director of the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation, a specialist research, advisory and policy engagement organization. He trained as a sociologist and development economist, studying at the University of Cape Town and Cambridge University.

Andrew has worked across the Southern African region on addressing socio-economic development challenges in a broad range of contexts, both rural and urban. His current work focuses on: i) influencing public policy towards the township economy in support of informal micro-enterprises, ii) implementing development projects to foster economic growth and strengthen social cohesion, and iii) designing and implementing area-based projects to support the development of micro-enterprises and build social cohesion.

With co-authors Petersen and Govender, Andrew has recently published Township Economy: People, Spaces and Practices (HSRC, 2020). The book brings together a decade of research on micro-enterprises conducted in 10 townships in South Africa and Namibia.

Andrew's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-charman-21ab7315/