Government has designed systems to ensure entrepreneurs receive support to run safe and successful businesses, according to Ms. Siziwe Zulu, the Spaza Shop Project Manager at the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). She was addressing spaza shop owners at the Piet Thole Community Hall in Upington during an awareness campaign.
The Spaza Shop educational awareness campaign is currently being rolled out across the country through a partnership between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), National Empowerment Fund (NEF), and Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).
Zulu says the fund allocation is R100,000 for each applicant, which is broken down into a 50% grant and 50% loan. Non-financial support through skills development training will be provided.
“We want spaza shop owners to know that issues such as bad credit records do not disqualify them from receiving support, but rather, government seeks to ensure they are empowered with skills to operate their businesses efficiently. We also encourage those who have not registered to contact us as we can assist them through non-financial support in preparation for other spaza funding programs. The main aim is to afford spaza owners an opportunity to learn more about how to apply for the fund and which requirements they will be expected to comply with.”
She added that the non-financial support will cover training on point of sale devices, digital literacy, credit health, food safety, and business compliance.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele
Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Cell: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
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