As part of its ongoing national outreach, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), will host a Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign session in the Dikgatlong Local Municipality. The engagement is set to take place on Thursday, 10 July 2025, at the De Beers Hoogte Community Hall in Barkley West, Northern Cape.
This workshop forms part of a R500-million support programme launched in April 2025 by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, and Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, with the goal of providing spaza shop owners and informal traders with meaningful access to finance, business knowledge, and compliance training.
The campaign is delivered in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), agencies of the DSBD and the dtic, who serve as the primary implementing partners.
Entrepreneurs operating in Barkley West and surrounding areas will gain valuable insight into the application process, eligibility criteria, and operational requirements for accessing support. Officials will also engage attendees on formalisation processes, infrastructure improvements, and long-term sustainability in township and rural markets.
According to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, with this fund, the government is taking a concrete step to formalise and empower the informal sector. He says supporting spaza shops would be enabling 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,” says Tau.
The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, says the role played by SEDFA and NEF is truly appreciated, and the department believes this fund will go a long way in assisting shop owners who 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,” adds Ndabeni.
Through initiatives like this, the government aims to ensure that township and rural-based convenience shops are better equipped to thrive in a competitive market.
The session will take place at Dikgatlong Local Municipality, Northern Cape, as follows:
DATE: Thursday, 10 July 2025
TIME: 09:00
VENUE: De Beers Hoogte Community Hall, Barkly West, Dikgatlong Local Municipality
Members of the media who are interested in covering the event are requested to submit their names to via email at TMugovhoro@thedtic.gov.za or WhatsApp on 082 879 6792 or Tamry Esiri at Tesiri@dsbd.gov.za
Enquiries
Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
Mobile: +27 82 520 6813
WhatsApp: +27 82 520 6813
E-mail: KAlli@thedtic.gov.za Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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Or
Phuzile Kotane
Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1147
Mobile: 071 462 8246
WhatsApp: 071 462 8246
E-mail: PKotane@thedtic.gov.za
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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/
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.
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