C Dikgale

The ANC welcomes the government’s intervention to launch a R500 million spaza shop support fund within the next two weeks with the aim to boost local small businesses in need of funding

This initiative was announced by the Department of Small Business Development on Sunday in the wake of the February 28 deadline for registration of spaza shops and food handling outlets during a media briefing in Pretoria. The fund aims to achieve economies of scale by linking spaza shops and food handling outlets to buying groups for bulk purchasing; build business capacity through training and support to improve shop operations. It will comprise of funds from the Department of Small Business Development (R150 million) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (R350 million).

The ANC also welcomes the plan by the department to roll out a multi-disciplinary outreach programme. The purpose of the outreach program is to bring government services closer to the people through disseminating information on community convenience shops and support offerings. The ANC believes that small businesses are vital for economic growth and job creation.