THE City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development (DED) in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development, will be hosting Regional Stakeholder Forums and public outreach campaigns from Monday 26 May until Wednesday 9 July.
These engagements will focus on:
- Implementation of the Spaza Shop Fund
- Progress on the City’s spaza shop registration drive
- Matters affecting township retail enterprises
REGION COORDINATOR VENUE DATE/TIME:
Region A Regional Office / DED Diepsloot Youth Centre Hall Friday, 20 June 2025, 09:00 – 13:00
Region B Regional Office/DED Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre Monday, 30 June 2025, 09:00- 13:00
Region C Regional Office/DED Roodepoort City Hall Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 09:00 – 13:00
Region D Regional Office/DED Jabulani Civic Centre Monday, 26 May 2025, 10:00 – 14:00
Region E Regional Office/DED Safe Hub Alex To Be Confirmed
Region F Regional Office/DED Braamfontein Recreation Centre Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 10:00 – 14:00
Region G Regional Office/DED Lenasia Civic Centre Wednesday, 4 June 2025, 10:00 – 13:00
Special DED Spaza Shop Funding Workshop DED Braam Park Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 10:00 – 14:00
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Nomoya Mnisi says,“ We are urging spaza shops owners to attend and learn how they can access funding support as well as very importantly encourage spaza shop owners to collaborate with the City regarding compliance on food safety , certificate of acceptability, verification of information and other requirements so that compliant owners can be issued with temporary permits in due course after the roadshows”.
The R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund aims to bolster the informal economy by empowering township and rural entrepreneurs. Its objective, to provide both financial and non-financial support to spaza shop owners, helping them transition into the formal economy and enhance their competitiveness.
The fund prioritizes South African citizens operating in rural or township areas and emphasizes compliance with local regulations.
Eligible spaza shop owners can receive up to R300,000 through a combination of grants and interest-free loans. The funding can be used for stock purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and business skills development including strategic partnerships with local manufacturers, black industrialists and wholesalers for better pricing and access to quality products.
The Spaza Shop Fund announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November 2024 was officially launched on 8 April 2025 by the Department of Small Business Development and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
This initiative is expected to significantly reshape the spaza shop sector, promoting economic inclusion and addressing historical inequalities.
