Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged all spaza shops to be registered as they play an important role in the local economies of many communities in South Africa.
Speaking during the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Cooperatives Awards in Johannesburg on Friday, Ramaphosa said that many MSMEs are important for the future of South Africa’s economy. He explained the importance of spaza shops and why it was so crucial that owners registered their businesses and complied with all regulations to continue trading.
“We know that small businesses have been in the news of late. The recent spate of food-borne illnesses that have been linked to spaza shops and informal traders in townships has thrown into sharp relief issues of regulation, health and safety,” he said.
He said the issues of spaza shop safety has highlighted how important small businesses are to communities in that that provide support and services to local economies, and he said these small businesses needed to be thrust into the mainstream economy, with the help of the government.
Registration of spaza shops will assist local government enforce regulations. https://t.co/R3A2xG0xCr
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 22, 2024
According to SABC News, Ramaphosa said government wants spaza shops in townships and rural areas must be registered.
“To register does not mean we seek to punish them. but we seek to make sure they are regulated. So that we know who they are, that we know where they operate, so that we know they are going to run their businesses properly within regulations and labour laws,” he said.
He urged spaza shops to move from a level of informality to formal small businesses.
“We’ve given them a timeframe to come forward. They must come forward. If they don’t come forward by themselves, then we will be compelled to take action,” he added.
“This way is to give small businesses form is to give them good legitimacy, is to make sure they are recognised and also respected in our communities. This, also, is going to assist our local government sphere to ensure that they implement the regulations at local government level,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
