Spaza

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AX) — After a two-day hiatus marked by protests against rampant extortion, Somali-run spaza shops in Khayelitsha's Site C township reopened on Friday. The decision to shut down wasn’t made lightly; local traders felt compelled to act as the threat from gangs escalated to levels that were simply unbearable. Imagine a community reliant on small, informal shops for daily essentials, which suddenly find themselves devoid of those crucial resources. June 11 and 12 felt particularly bleak for many…

In a significant move to invigorate local economies, the South African government has initiated applications for the R500-million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF). This initiative aims to enhance the sustainability and growth of spaza shops—those familiar neighborhood convenience stores that serve as lifelines for township and rural communities. During a recent announcement, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, highlighted the transformative potential of this fund. “We are committed to empowering our…