VEREENIGING – The Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng will be the next focus of a growing national campaign aimed at boosting township economies through the Spaza Shop Support Fund, a government initiative designed to empower South African-owned spaza shops and convenience stores operating in rural and township areas.
This leg of the campaign will be held on Friday at City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District, starting from 9am, with an interactive session that will provide spaza shop owners and township-based retailers with vital information about how to apply for both financial and non-financial support through the R500-million fund.
The fund was launched in April 2025 by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to increase local ownership and participation in the retail trade sector. The two ministries are leading the campaign through a coordinated effort between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD).
Administered by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEFA) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) — which are agencies of the DSBD and the dtic respectively — the campaign is already gaining traction after successful stops in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Northern Cape, where large numbers of township entrepreneurs gathered to learn how to benefit from the fund.
The fund is structured to assist small retailers in four main areas:
Access to affordable stock through reliable delivery channels and local supply chain partnerships.
Infrastructure upgrades, including installation of refrigeration, security systems, point-of-sale (POS) devices, and shelving.
Training and capacity building, covering business skills, digital literacy, compliance, credit health, and food safety.
Market access and bulk buying, with an emphasis on sourcing locally produced goods and supporting black industrialists and local manufacturers.
According to a joint statement from the dtic and DSBD on Wednesday, the campaign aims to increase the competitiveness of township businesses and promote long-term sustainability in the informal retail space.
“These efforts are geared toward increasing the competitiveness of township businesses and ensuring they play a significant role in the broader retail sector,” the statement read.
By encouraging bulk buying and improving supply chain inclusion, the government hopes to lower operational costs for small shops while enhancing their access to high-quality, affordable goods — many of which are locally manufactured.
The Sedibeng event is expected to attract a wide range of township entrepreneurs, including those running spaza shops, tuck shops, and other small retail operations. It will also give participants an opportunity to engage with officials, fund administrators, and local suppliers, and to sign up for training sessions and future workshops.
For spaza shop owners and township retailers looking to expand, formalise or improve their operations, Friday’s session presents a crucial opportunity to tap into real support — from funding and infrastructure to skills and strategic partnerships.
