Latest news with #SpazaShopSupportFund
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Spaza Shop Campaign benefits local business owners
Government's Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign is providing much-needed clarity while also encouraging business owners to do things by the book. 'Before today, I didn't know where to start or which documents were truly necessary. This workshop answered questions I've had for years. Now, I understand what compliance actually means and how to meet those expectations,' spaza shop owner Matshidiso Mooki said. Mooki was among those who attended the session held at the City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District in Gauteng on Friday. She said the campaign brought clarity. 'I am determined to ensure that I comply with all the regulations so that I can qualify for support through the Spaza Shop Support Fund,' she said of the session. The campaign offered spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams in April. For Matome Tshabalala, the information received at the session was a game changer. He started his shop after the COVID-19 lockdown. 'I've always operated informally, but now I want to do things the right way. What stood out for me was the emphasis on record-keeping and understanding zoning laws. I also appreciated the introduction to stock management and bookkeeping,' he said. The campaign, which aims to formalise and support township-based enterprises, brought together local spaza shop owners, government officials and business development stakeholders. Compliance Participants at the session heard about the importance of compliance requirements for spaza shop permit applications. Matshepo Madumbo, the Assistant Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at Emfuleni Local Municipality, emphasised the importance of adhering to municipal regulations when applying for permits. 'Many residential areas are not zoned for commercial activity. For a spaza shop to operate legally, the property owner must apply for a rezoning certificate. Without that, the business cannot be recognised as compliant. 'I cannot stress the importance of submitting a stamped building plan, an occupancy certificate, certified identity document, a proof of address no older than three months, and registration documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) along with a valid tax clearance certificate,' she said. Madumbo noted that failure to comply with these requirements often leads to unnecessary delays and missed opportunities for funding and supplier networks. 'The Spaza Shop Support Campaign continues to rollout across provinces, ensuring that township entrepreneurs are not only included in the broader economic framework but are also equipped to thrive within it. 'By focusing on compliance, formalisation, and access to resources, the campaign is helping to level the playing field for small business owners in underserved communities,' said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Spaza shop awareness pays off
Government's Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign is providing much-needed clarity while also encouraging business owners to do things by the book. 'Before today, I didn't know where to start or which documents were truly necessary. This workshop answered questions I've had for years. Now, I understand what compliance actually means and how to meet those expectations,' spaza shop owner Matshidiso Mooki said. Mooki was among those who attended the session held at the City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District in Gauteng on Friday. She said the campaign brought clarity. 'I am determined to ensure that I comply with all the regulations so that I can qualify for support through the Spaza Shop Support Fund,' she said of the session. The campaign offered spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams in April. For Matome Tshabalala, the information received at the session was a game changer. He started his shop after the COVID-19 lockdown. 'I've always operated informally, but now I want to do things the right way. What stood out for me was the emphasis on record-keeping and understanding zoning laws. I also appreciated the introduction to stock management and bookkeeping,' he said. The campaign, which aims to formalise and support township-based enterprises, brought together local spaza shop owners, government officials and business development stakeholders. Compliance Participants at the session heard about the importance of compliance requirements for spaza shop permit applications. Matshepo Madumbo, the Assistant Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at Emfuleni Local Municipality, emphasised the importance of adhering to municipal regulations when applying for permits. 'Many residential areas are not zoned for commercial activity. For a spaza shop to operate legally, the property owner must apply for a rezoning certificate. Without that, the business cannot be recognised as compliant. 'I cannot stress the importance of submitting a stamped building plan, an occupancy certificate, certified identity document, a proof of address no older than three months, and registration documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) along with a valid tax clearance certificate,' she said. Madumbo noted that failure to comply with these requirements often leads to unnecessary delays and missed opportunities for funding and supplier networks. 'The Spaza Shop Support Campaign continues to rollout across provinces, ensuring that township entrepreneurs are not only included in the broader economic framework but are also equipped to thrive within it. 'By focusing on compliance, formalisation, and access to resources, the campaign is helping to level the playing field for small business owners in underserved communities,' said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Government's Spaza Shop campaign goes to Sedibeng
The Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng will be the next stop in the national campaign to create awareness about the Spaza Shop Support Fund. This as an interactive session is set to take place at the City Hall, in the Vereeniging Central Business District, on Friday. This leg of the campaign will offer spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni in April. The fund is aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned spaza shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector. The national campaign, spearheaded by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), follows successful engagements held in KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. At these events, township-based entrepreneurs gathered in large numbers to learn how they can access support from the fund. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) which are agencies of the DSBD and the dtic, respectively. These entities are responsible for administering the fund. The campaign aims to bolster the township economy by supporting South African-owned spaza shops and other township convenience stores through: • Access to affordable stock via delivery channel partners, • Infrastructure upgrades including shelving, refrigeration and security, Point of Sale devices, • Training programmes covering business skills, digital literacy, compliance, credit health and food safety, and partnerships with local manufacturers, black industrialists and wholesalers to improve supply chain inclusion. 'These efforts are geared toward increasing the competitiveness of township businesses and ensuring they play a significant role in the broader retail sector. 'The campaign also promotes bulk buying and the use of locally produced goods, helping spaza shops lower operating costs while improving access to quality products,' the dtic and the DSBD said in a joint statement on Wednesday. Friday's session is expected to get underway at 9am. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Parks Tau details oversight framework for R100k spaza shop support fund
The minister explained that disbursements from the Spaza Shop Support Fund are made only after formal approval by the NEF's Investment Committee. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has provided responses to questions about the oversight mechanisms and departmental roles governing the government's R100,000 Spaza Shop Support Fund. He revealed a comprehensive framework involving multiple agencies and automated monitoring systems. Responding to questions from Democratic Alliance MP Anna Maria van Zyl, Tau outlined the administrative structure behind the fund's disbursement. He clarified that his department's contribution will be channelled through the National Empowerment Fund's Rural and Township Fund programme using the 2025-26 fiscal year budget allocation. The minister's responses shed light on the monitoring mechanisms designed to prevent fund misuse and ensure transparency in a programme that has attracted significant attention for its support of township entrepreneurs. Spaza shop fund automated monitoring and committee oversight Tau revealed that the NEF has put in motion multiple supervision mechanisms to monitor fund payments. 'I have been advised by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) as follows,' Tau stated, before detailing the comprehensive framework. He said that all applications are processed through the NEF's automated Customer Relationship Management system. The system tracks application progress and provides real-time daily reports on fund status and approvals. The minister further explained that disbursements only proceed following formal approval from the NEF's Investment Committee. The committee 'evaluates each application for funding following established investment criteria and due diligence protocols that are aligned to the Spaza Shop Support Fund criteria'. Regarding the finance verification processes, Tau revealed that the NEF's Finance Division implements internal financial controls that verify and validate all disbursements before funds are released. 'These controls ensure that disbursements are made in accordance with the approved terms and conditions of Spaza Shop Support Fund,' he clarified. ALSO READ: Government pays R6 million from R500 million Spaza Shop Fund Spaza shop post-investment monitoring and direct payments Tau detailed the post-disbursement oversight measures, explaining that the NEF's Post-Investment Unit conducts reviews to confirm funds have been utilised according to approved business plans and conditions. 'This includes site visits, assessment of receipts, and verification of stock or asset purchases,' he said. The minister explained the system of direct payments. He said to minimise misuse risks, disbursements are made directly to vetted and pre-approved suppliers for the procurement of goods and services required by beneficiaries, rather than to the clients themselves. The oversight framework includes monthly reporting to the NEF Executive Committee for operational monitoring, quarterly reporting to the NEF Board for strategic oversight. It also includes weekly coordination meetings between the NEF, the Department of Small Business Development, the DTIC, and Sedfa. ALSO READ: Spaza shops ask for more than R32m worth of stock Cogta's supporting role clarified The minister clarified the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs' role in the programme. 'Cogta is not responsible for the disbursement of funds under the Spaza Shop Support Fund,' said Tau. He added that the spaza shops' payments are managed by his department and the Department of Small Business Development through their agencies. According to Tau, Cogta's role focuses on municipal oversight. Municipalities are responsible for developing and enforcing local legislation and bylaws governing spaza shop operations. This includes trading permits and business licences. Through municipalities, Cogta assists the NEF and SEDFA by verifying that each applicant possesses a valid trading permit or business licence and complies with relevant municipal regulations and by-laws. Tau emphasised that 'Cogta's involvement strengthens the integrity of the fund by ensuring that only compliant and duly licensed businesses benefit from the financial support.' Tau confirmed that the NEF and SEDFA will be responsible for overseeing the Spaza Shop database. The entities adopted a shared portal across both their systems, with regular meetings held to coordinate application processing. ALSO READ: Government offers R500m spaza shop support fund – Here's what you need to know Spaza shop fund context The Spaza Shop Support Fund was established for South African spaza shop owners seeking to enhance and expand their businesses. Those interested in boosting their businesses can now apply for financial and technical assistance through the government's fund. Before the introduction of the fund, spaza shop registrations nationwide were introduced to prevent the sale of hazardous food to children, following multiple food poisoning incidents in 2024. The government's Spaza Shop Support Fund offers up to R100,000 in financial and non-financial support to spaza shop owners. The initiative is a part of its commitment to township and informal economy development. The support package includes: R40,000 in grant funding for stock, R50,000 in blended grant and loan financing for shop upgrades, including fridges and shelving, and R10,000 worth of business training and digital tools. 🟢 Spaza Shop Support Programme – Apply for Assistance Up to R100 000 🟢 The Government of South Africa, through its commitment to township and informal economy development, invites spaza shop owners to apply for financial and non-financial support of up to R100 000. Support… — South African Government (@GovernmentZA) June 8, 2025 NOW READ: Over 30K spaza shop applications were from foreign nationals
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Spaza Shop Support Fund information session to be held in Limpopo
Limpopo spaza shop owners will get an opportunity to learn more about how they can access financial and non-financial support from the Spaza Shop Support Fund at an interactive session at the George Phadagi Town Hall, in Thohoyandou, on Friday. The session is part of a countrywide campaign aimed at creating awareness about the Spaza Shop Support Fund. The campaign, which began in KwaZulu-Natal last month, is hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the Dtic) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSDB). The R500m fund was launched by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, in Soweto, on 8 April 2025. The national education and awareness campaign is being held in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), the agencies of the DSBD and the Dtic, respectively, which will be responsible for administering the fund. The interactive session with spaza owners in the Vhembe District Municipality will be an opportunity to learn more about how to apply for the fund and which requirements will they be expected to comply with. According to Minister Tau, government is taking a concrete step to formalise and empower the informal sector with the fund. Tau said supporting spaza shops would enable entrepreneurs, often women and young people, to participate fully in the economic process. 'These small businesses generate employment, drive local commerce, and channel much-needed income into communities that have long been underserved. Studies show that small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation in South Africa. 'By providing spaza shop owners with financial support, infrastructure upgrades, and essential business training, we are setting the stage for sustainable job creation,' Tau said. Minister Ndabeni said the role played by Sedfa and NEF was truly appreciated and that the department believed this fund would go a long way in assisting shop owners that are registered and have operating permits. 'Our partnership ensures that spaza shop owners are not only funded but are also trained, mentored, and integrated into reliable supply chains. This is about building long-term sustainability for township retail,' Ndabeni said. The aim of the fund is to support South African-owned township community convenience shops, including spaza shops, to increase their participation in the townships and rural areas' retail trade sector and to provide critical financial and non-financial support to township businesses, including community convenience stores and spaza shops. The fund also provides various types of support including the initial purchase of stock via delivery channel partners, upgrading of building infrastructure, systems, refrigeration, shelving and security, as well as training programmes which includes point of sale devices, business skills, digital literacy, credit health, food safety, business compliance. The fund also seeks to bolster the broader supply chain by fostering partnerships with local manufacturers, black industrialists and wholesalers. Through bulk purchasing arrangements and the promotion of locally produced goods, spaza shops will benefit from reduced costs and increased access to quality products.
