Today marks the final deadline for all spaza shops in South Africa to be registered, a critical step towards restoring order, protecting consumers, and reclaiming the township economy for South Africans.
This milestone follows ActionSA’s relentless #Spaza4Locals campaign, which has been at the forefront of advocating for 100% local ownership of spaza shops and stricter enforcement of regulations to combat illicit trade.
For over a year, ActionSA has championed the call for a formalised and regulated township economy, warning that unregistered and unregulated spaza shops pose risks to public safety. The tragic incidents of food poisoning and deaths linked to unsafe products in late 2024 underscored the urgent need for government intervention.
While the President’s directive to enforce spaza shop registration is a step in the right direction, ActionSA remains clear: this alone is not enough.
ActionSA will continue to fight for:
– 100% Local Ownership: The township economy must be driven by South Africans, ensuring that the R200 billion in economic power generated by spaza shops benefits local communities.
– Stronger Compliance and Oversight: Registration is only the first step—government must follow through with enforcement to root out illegal foreign ownership, counterfeits, and harmful products.
– Safer, Healthier Township Businesses: Formal registration must be paired with strict health and safety standards to prevent further tragedies.
ActionSA will remain vigilant in holding the government accountable to ensure that today’s registration deadline is not just a paper exercise but a meaningful reform that protects South African consumers and entrepreneurs. The fight to take back the township economy is far from over and ActionSA will not rest until every spaza shop is locally owned, legally compliant, and safe for our communities.
#Spaza4Locals is not just a campaign; it is a movement. The future of township businesses belongs to South Africans, and ActionSA will continue to lead the charge in making that a reality.
Lerato Ngobeni MP
ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip
Soweto Sunrise News
