The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development (DED), in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and Environmental Health, has helped 36 spaza shop owners register for the Spaza Shop Fund through a registration and compliance drive held across several regions.
The workshops assisted eligible spaza shop owners with business registration, compliance requirements and applications for the funding programme announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The initiative focused on businesses with the required health certificates and Certificates of Acceptability.
The engagements, held in communities including Jabulani, Braamfontein, Finetown and Rabie Ridge, form part of the City’s preparations for the Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Summit and Expo 2026, taking place on 17 and 18 September.
DED’s Benji Seitlhamo said the response from communities had been encouraging.
“As the City, we are very pleased with the turnout we have seen during the Spaza Shop Fund registration drive. So far, in collaboration with SEDFA, we have registered 36 valid spaza shop owners for the fund. This was an important first step for the City in undertaking this type of registration drive, and the positive response from communities is encouraging.”
Seitlhamo said the registration process would continue, with the City planning further community engagements to assist spaza shop owners with valid documentation.
He emphasised that compliance is important because compliant businesses are better positioned to access government support, funding opportunities and other interventions aimed at growing their businesses.
Yaya Snyman, a tuck shop owner who attended one of the workshops, welcomed the information shared with business owners.
“These sessions are very important, especially for us as business owners and residents because we do not always receive enough information in our communities. We need this information to help us build our businesses and contribute to the growth of the township economy.”
The upcoming summit and expo will bring together government, business owners, industry stakeholders and partners to address challenges facing spaza shops and informal traders, while providing information on compliance, business support, funding and opportunities to build sustainable township businesses.
Issued by the City of Johannesburg
