Free State spaza shop owners operating in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality were urged to work as a collective to network and leverage bulk buying.
The discussions on strategies for small businesses emanated from an interactive session on the Spaza Shop Support Fund that took place in Welkom.
The R500-million fund was launched by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau and Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni in April.
Director for Local Economic Development and Tourism at Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Edward Lesenyelo, said that the strategy for the municipality is to consolidate and put together a database of all small business owners, especially spaza shops, to get them to a point where they can network and form an alliance.
“We have also emphasised the importance of having WhatsApp groups for better communication and organisation within the business network.
“These WhatsApp groups will give them leverage for bulk buying, to compete effectively and wake up the business community,” said Lesenyelo.
He also advised that physically managing one’s outlet and employing qualified staff ensures smooth operations, proper planning and management.
“As we discuss the importance of supporting local businesses, especially spaza shops, it is important to ensure their growth and contribution to the economy.
“We, therefore, urge everyone to engage actively in the session to gain valuable information that can assist them to secure a significant portion of the allocated funding,” added Lesenyelo.
Kutloanong Business Chamber spokesperson Itumeleng Mokolutlo said they welcomed the government’s initiative to revive and support local spaza shops owned by locals.
“Our mandate is to organise businesses in the township and assist them to run them effectively. We also want to lift our local economy and take back our economic power from foreign-based businesses. We attended this session to engage with different government departments in the economic sector to assist with other streams of funding and mentorship,” said Mokolutlo.
The national education and awareness campaign is in partnership with the Small Enterprise
Development and Finance Agency and the National Empowerment Fund, the agencies of the DSBD and the DTIC, respectively, which will be responsible for administering the fund.
The campaign is in the form of interactive sessions in which spaza owners across the country will get an opportunity to learn more about how to apply for the fund and what requirements they will be expected to comply with.
