The Acting Mayor of Dikgatlong Local Municipality, Northern Cape, Mr Kenny Jacobs has welcomed the Spaza Shop Support Fund and said the locals have been yearning for an opportunity to gain support that will boost their businesses and grow the local economy.
Jacobs was delivering his opening remarks at the Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign, that took place at Vaalrivier Hoerskool, Barkly West, Dikgatlong Local Municipality.
The meeting was part of an ongoing national outreach programme led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD).
Jacobs said the time is now for small business owners in the area, to put more effort into working together to grow the local economy as this will subsequently create jobs.
“You can no longer work in silos, you need to collaborate and share information. The absence of collaboration will delay the growth of our businesses and the local economy. I urge you to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Spaza Shop Support Fund. Talk to each other and buy in bulk in order for your businesses to grow. Importantly, make sure that you have a business license which is a requirement for spaza shop owners to apply for the Spaza Shop Support Fund,” said Jacobs.
Speaking at the same event, a representative of the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Daniel Mogotlo, stated that of the 69 applications received from local municipalities only 9 had been verified successfully.
He said this is an indication that a lot still needs to be done to get more people to apply in order to benefit from the fund.
“The department has greater collaboration with all the local municipalities, and will work with them in order to assist business people to apply for the fund. We implore more entrepreneurs to approach our office for assistance,” said Mogotlo.
Addressing attendees, the Spaza Shop Project manager at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) Mr Mlungisi Tshabalala, confirmed that the agency came prepared to offer instant service to potential spaza shop fund beneficiaries. Those who had their documents ready were assisted with applications on the spot.
Spaza shop owner, Ms Precious Molatliwa, said she attended the session to gain understanding on how to grow her shop and access the fund. She commended government for the initiative, adding that it will assist locals to grow their businesses and this will in turn address the problem of unemployment.
The R500 million Spaza Shop Fund was launched in April 2025 by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, and Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni. The main objective is to provide spaza shop owners and informal traders with meaningful access to finance, business knowledge, and compliance training.
It is targeted at South African-owned township community convenience shops in order to increase their participation in the townships and rural areas’ retail trade sector.
The funding is capped at R100 000 for each qualifying recipient. It consists of R40 000 for stock, R50 000 for assets and infrastructure, and R10 000 for business skills development and training.
The Acting Mayor of Dikgatlong Local Municipality, Northern Cape, Mr Kenny Jacobs addressing the session on Spaza Shop Support Fund in Barkly West, Northern Cape.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development.
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