Sedibeng District Municipality will be the next stop in the national campaign to create awareness about the Spaza Shop Support Fund, with an interactive session scheduled to take place at The City Hall, in the Vereeniging Central Business District on Friday, 20 June 2025, at 09:00.
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 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.
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. The fund was officially launched by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, and Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni, in April 2025.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), agencies of the DSBD and the dtic, respectively. These entities will be 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.
Gauteng entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend the session in Soweto and take advantage of this opportunity to receive practical guidance, connect with funding agencies, and strengthen their businesses.
Members of the media who are interested in covering the event are requested to submit their names to Charles Mnisi via email at Cmnisi@thedtic.gov.za, or via mobile 082 520 3475.
Enquiries
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.
X: @the_dtic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedti?mibextid=ZbWKwL
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedtic
Website: https://www.thedtic.gov.za/
OR
Siphe Macanda – Director: Communication Management
Department of Small Business Development
Mobile and WhatsApp: 082 355 2399
E-mail: SMacanda@dsbd.gov.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DepartmentOfSmallBusinessDevelopment
X: @DSBD_SA
Website: https://www.dsbd.gov.za/
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