[Mthatha, Eastern Cape ] – [4 December 2025 ] – The Township Cannabis Incubator (TCI), in partnership with Training Force and the Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy, hosted a landmark stakeholder engagement and equipment launch on 2 December 2025, officially unveiling the region’s first fully operational and community-accessible cannabis extraction and processing facility.
The event, which was exceptionally well-attended, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and industry experts. For many attendees, the engagement served as a vital opportunity to understand the complete cannabis and hemp value chain and its potential for economic growth.
A Landmark for Commercialisation
The atmosphere was electric, marked by palpable excitement during the demonstration of the various state-of-the-art machinery acquired by TCI. The most significant takeaway from the day was the unequivocal declaration that TCI, alongside its dedicated partners, is the definitive Cannabis Hub for Commercialisation within the Eastern Cape region.
“Never before has there been a hub or centre with direct accessibility for the community to bring their raw materials and products for processing,” said [Snoux Powsa – MD OR Tambo CDC]. “This marks a landmark time—a moment of something great that will truly empower and uplift our communities. We are moving beyond talk and providing the community with the training, education, tools, and off-take agreements necessary to create a viable business case in this burgeoning industry.”
The facility is designed to enable SMMEs and community members to process their yields into high-value commercial products, thereby formalising their place in the local and international markets.
Future Vision and Call to Action
TCI leadership expressed immense gratitude to all attendees for their insightful questions and robust networking. The organisation is committed to ensuring that the development of this industry is formalised, sustainable and becomes a great treasure for both the local and international markets.
Looking ahead, TCI and its partners are actively seeking further engagement with other districts and municipalities across the Eastern Cape to extend this initiative and establish satellite opportunities within their territories. The goal is to bring a formalized economic development pathway to all communities within the province.
