About GCBDT
The great commission churches
The Great Commission Business Development Trust (GCBDT) works closely with the Great Commission Ministers’ Network which is a group of over 500 Churches scattered throughout the Western Cape. It was founded by Bishop Aaron Makili in 2006. It is an interdenominational grouping of churches which provides support and encouragement for Pastors and Church leaders who are bringing Christ into the lives of those in the local communities.
Our Communities
Although the Great Commission Minister’s Network is primarily Khayelitsha based there are plans to extend it to the Hout Bay IY (Imizamo Yethu) community. The current area of focus for the Great Commission Trust is accordingly these two communities. Khayelitsha is a township on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. The name is Xhosa for “new home”. It came into existence in the early 1980’s and has grown rapidly since then with an estimated population in 2020 of 2,4 million people. The area of Khayelitsha is 43,5 square kms. Khayelitsha is one of the poorer areas of Cape Town and although there have been developments such as more housing and schools being built as well as the creation of a central business district, many residents live in shacks.
There are a number of non-profit organisations working in Khayelitsha to address the issues of poverty and unemployment. The Great Commission Business Development Trust is one of these – trying to make a difference.
Imizamo Yethu is a township in Hout Bay, Cape Town. The name is Xhosa for “our efforts”. It is also known as Mandela Park or IY and is home to approximately 34,000 people. It was established in the early 1990’s and occupies an area of 18 hectares. Although the living conditions are not good there have been improvements in some areas such as the building of several hundred basic homes by the Niall Mellon Township Trust. In 2017 a devastating fire destroyed 3,500 homes and displaced 15,000 people. There are also a number of non-profit organisations active in IY.
The great commission business DEVELOPMENT trust
When formed, what it is and its objective
The Great Commission Business Development Trust (GCBDT) was formed in July 2016. As a Christian organisation, in broad terms, the objective of the Trust is to encourage, facilitate and develop small and micro businesses, particularly, but not necessarily exclusively those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. In so doing to help alleviate poverty, we also encourage the business owner to financially support his/her Church.
Tax status of the trust
The Trust is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) registration number 930052778, which, amongst other benefits, allows donors to make tax deductions in terms of section 18A of the Income Tax Act.
Trustees
The Trust has three trustees. They are:
Aaron Makili
who founded the Great Commission Ministers’ Network and is its President
Dixie Strong
who, before retirement, headed up HSBC Securities in South Africa
Allan Scott
who, before retirement, was Company Secretary of the Clicks Group
The bigger vision
As a second phase of the work of the GCBDT we plan to widen its field of activity to becoming a “one stop shop” for small and micro businesses both through the website and other means. Through the website the aim is to provide comprehensive information to assist the small and micro business owner.
This would include funding contacts, supplier information, training opportunities, marketing contacts, business training offered and much more.