---
title: "Feeding the Economy: The amazing impact of SA's informal sector"
description: "Vukile Property Fund boosts SA township and rural retail, while its Retail Academy integrates township entrepreneurs into formal retail."
image: https://www.vukile.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Websize-2400px-12.jpg
canonical: https://www.vukile.co.za/news-and-insights/feeding-the-economy-the-amazing-impact-of-sas-informal-sector/
url: https://vukile.getmd.ai/news-and-insights/feeding-the-economy-the-amazing-impact-of-sas-informal-sector/.md
last_converted: 2026-04-27T19:20:32.456Z
---

Vukile Property Fund is strengthening its position in South Africa’s township and rural retail sector, where the informal economy plays a vital role in driving growth.

Managing Director Itumeleng Mothibeli notes that Vukile’s township centres continue to outperform urban portfolios, delivering strong trading densities, rental growth and low vacancies. Through initiatives such as the Retail Academy, Vukile supports township entrepreneurs by integrating their businesses into formal retail spaces. This approach highlights the growing influence of township economies in shaping the country’s retail landscape.

[This article](https://www.vukile.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MARKETIQ_Financial_Mail_2025-08-28_V1.pdf) was originally published by Adele Shevel in the Financial Mail (28 August 2025).

[General News](https://www.vukile.co.za/news-and-insights/category/general-news/)

- 18 September 2025

				- By
Vukile Press Team

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