Pretoria - Google has launched a project that makes it easy for South Africans to showcase small businesses on the internet.
With a few clicks on Thursday, the first entrepreneurs used Google's Woza Online to create their own websites. Woza Online, which Google launched with help from South African government researchers and cash from cellphone company Vodacom Group
[JSE:VOD], offers free domain names with the co.za tag for the first 10 000 applicants.
South Africa has the most vibrant economy in Africa, but is also beset by high unemployment. The government sees small business as a key weapon in the fight to create jobs.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry
Elizabeth Thabethe said businesses with web presence "are able to be part of the globe".