In a major boost for township entrepreneurship, the Spaza Shop Support Fund Awareness Campaign has reached the town of Mbizana in the Eastern Cape. The initiative is part of a nationwide drive led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) to educate local business owners on how to access government support for spaza shops and community convenience stores.
Launched in Soweto on 8 April 2025 by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Parks Tau, and Minister of Small Business Development Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, the R500-million fund aims to formalize and empower South African-owned township retail businesses. The campaign officially kicked off in KwaZulu-Natal and is now set to host an interactive engagement in Mbizana on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at the Mbizana Civic Centre.
The awareness drive is conducted in collaboration with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEFDA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), which are tasked with managing the fund’s administration. Local spaza shop owners will participate in informative sessions to learn about application procedures, eligibility criteria, and the type of financial and non-financial support available.
According to the dtic, the fund covers initial stock purchases, infrastructure upgrades, shelving, refrigeration, security enhancements, and business equipment like Point of Sale systems. It also offers essential training in areas such as digital literacy, business compliance, credit health, and food safety.
“The objective is not just to uplift individual businesses but to strengthen the entire township retail economy,” said a government spokesperson. “We’re also promoting partnerships between spaza shops and local manufacturers, black industrialists, and wholesalers to enable bulk buying and enhance access to locally made products.”
The upcoming Mbizana session will be held under the auspices of the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality (WMMLM), where the Mayor, Councillor Daniswa Mafumbatha, is expected to deliver a keynote address.
The event underscores the government’s commitment to unlocking opportunities for grassroots businesses and ensuring inclusive economic growth in rural and township communities.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
🕘 Time: 09:00
📍 Venue: Mbizana Civic Centre, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, Eastern Cape
For media inquiries or accreditation, contact Tshilidzi Mugovhoro at TMugovhoro@thedtic.gov.za or WhatsApp 082 879 6792.
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