Latest news with #R500-million
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Why 85% of applicants don't comply with SPAZA shop fund
Four months since its launch, the R500-million spaza shop fund has failed to reach initial expectations. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition revealed recently that the spaza shop fund has attracted more than 10 000 applications. However, a worryingly low amount of spaza shop fund applications have meant compliance requirements. As such, applications have had to be split into two categories. The first group, made up of 14% who comply. And a second group of the remaining 86%, 'who do not yet meet requirements' but will be assisted. Experts say if you include South Africa's informal sector, the country's unemployment rate is actually closer to 10%, and not 33% as reported by Stats SA. Image: File A group representing the informal traders says government's 'rigid compliance criteria' is to blame for the low uptake, reports Daily Maverick . The fund is the brainchild of the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. And it came about following the 2024 poisoning of several young children. However, the South African Spaza Shops Association's Kgothatso Ramautswa, says it is 'deeply concerned' by the lack of compliance: 'This is not a reflection of spaza shop owners, but rather a failure of government to design a realistic funding support system. The fund is failing its intended beneficiaries. If 86% are non-compliant, the problem lies in the system, not the people,' Ramautswa says. South Africa's tax-free informal sector is worth billions, say economists. And the fund is a way to 'get them on the books.' Image: File However, in the face of such low compliance, the department says it will provide non-financial support. This will include assistance in applying for the necessary documentation through their local municipality for spaza shop fund applicants. The current maximum funding available per spaza shop fund is R100 000. And this is offered as a blended finance instrument, with a 50% grant and 50% interest-free loan. The debt portion of which is repayable with zero interest. As a reminder, the government's R100 000 per qualifying owner is made up like so. R40 000 for stock purchases, R10 000 for business training and R50 000 for infrastructure upgrades. As such, the package is designed to promote sustainability, competitiveness and regulatory compliance versus larger retailers. As of now, no spaza shop fund applications have actually been denied. However, in future they could be for the following non-compliance: Applicant is not a South African citizen. If the applicant is misrepresenting ownership or control of the business. Any fraudulent or misrepresentation documents in the application. Invalid or non-existent trading permit or a business licence. Use of funding for personal or non-business-related purposes. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
5 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Hawks probe City Power contract payments
JOHANNESBURG - The Hawks has visited the offices of Johannesburg's power utility. The move is reportedly part of an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption at City Power. The Hawks is looking into three questionable payments to contractors. READ: Heads 'will roll' as City Power uncovers internal fraud syndicate And some of the payments in question were inflated. City Power's executives allegedly approved the payments amounting to about R500-million. But the utility insists that there was not a raid, but rather a formal visit to inquire about the business.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man arrested over tampering of power lines in Elandspoort
Man arrested over tampering of power lines in Elandspoort Ward 1 councillor, Leon Kruyshaar, has expressed his concern at the ongoing spate of cable theft incidents in the west of Pretoria. This follows the arrest of a 33-year-old suspected of tampering with municipal infrastructure by the Tshwane Metro Police Department's (TMPD) cable theft unit. According to a social media post by the TMPD, said a man was apprehended in Elandspoort in the west of Pretoria, after receiving a tip-off on July 19. 'TMPD members responded to a complaint in Elandspoort. Upon arrival, a suspect was found in the act of tampering with essential infrastructure.' The suspect was arrested and detained at a local police station. Kruyshaar said cable theft continued to be a recurring struggle for the west of Pretoria. He reported that on Van Der Hoff Road near the Zandfontein Substation, four feeders were reported to be down on July 21. 'It's just almost no chance that four feeders go down at the same time. Maybe one, but not four. 'These cables have been stolen on numerous occasions. Just in the last month, I think this is the fourth time they've been stolen. 'This matter needs to be escalated to the cable theft team. We need to make this a priority, stop the cable theft in this area, because it's really an inconvenience to consumers and factories in the area. 'Those who don't have generators either have to close down for the day or work with the inconvenience and suffer financial losses,' Kruyshaar said. Estimations are that South Africa loses more than R500-million every year due to cable theft and vandalism of municipal infrastructure. Residents can report any suspicious behaviour to 012 358 7095/6. Watch here: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world President Cyril Ramaphosa was beyond impressed during his visit on June 24 to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital's Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) centre. The R500-million facility was opened in March last year after it took two years to be completed. The centre is part of the Department of Science and Technology's SA research infrastructure roadmap. Rampahosa was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The high-level delegation toured key facilities, including the recently refurbished cardio-thoracic ward, the advanced catheterisation laboratory alongside the centre. The visit also included engagements with healthcare professionals and a showcase of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and digital health initiatives. NuMeRI's main purpose is to facilitate research, innovation and value-generation in areas of country and region-specific health challenges. Some of the functions the centre will offer include a clinical unit, radiopharmacy, basic and translational research, preclinical imaging, node of infection imaging, as well as a medical physics and radiobiology unit. Ramaphosa said the Steve Biko facility was the best he had come across throughout his years in public service. 'The diversity I've seen here has been most impressive. One doesn't go to many places, particularly in the private sector and see this type of diversity. You don't often get it, and now I see it here in the public sector. Another factor that impressed me was the number of women in key positions as well,' he said. The president also acknowledged the youth running facilities, saying they are the future of the country, and the centre will help propel them forward. Ramaphosa hailed the facility for being the only centre in the continent with nuclear medical capabilities. He also hailed the security of the facility and the diversity in geography regarding personnel, as well as the cleanliness of the facility. 'I think you have more hospitals than any other province, and you do have good hospitals in Gauteng, and I applaud you, Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] and MEC [Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko], for allocating money to get all these technological applications. I thank you for being foresightful and being addicted to technology, because it drives medical care in this day and age,' he said. Ramaphosa added that the fact that Steve Biko receives so many referrals is why the facility stands as a model for what healthcare should look like going forward with National Health Insurance (NHI). 'I leave this place very impressed. I just saw world-class types of facilities that have been built. Even when one goes around the world, I haven't seen such, and I'm usually impressed by technology most of the time. So when we say we have the best on the continent and possibly in the world, that is what we've seen here,' Ramaphosa said. Lesufi expressed his appreciation for the level of technology the hospital boasts, saying it will turn the healthcare of the province and country around for the better. 'Mr President, we didn't talk about the future, we walked with you to the future. We showed you the best medical equipment that no private hospital has in our province. It's a proud moment indeed. As we reshape the public health system in Gauteng, we are addicted to new technologies. We are addicted to using innovative methods to turn around the public health in Gauteng. We remain the only province with this technology. One hospital at a time, we can build stronger, better healthcare facilities,' Lesufi said. Watch here: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Spaza Shop Campaign benefits local business owners
Government's Spaza Shop Support Awareness Campaign is providing much-needed clarity while also encouraging business owners to do things by the book. 'Before today, I didn't know where to start or which documents were truly necessary. This workshop answered questions I've had for years. Now, I understand what compliance actually means and how to meet those expectations,' spaza shop owner Matshidiso Mooki said. Mooki was among those who attended the session held at the City Hall in the Vereeniging Central Business District in Gauteng on Friday. She said the campaign brought clarity. 'I am determined to ensure that I comply with all the regulations so that I can qualify for support through the Spaza Shop Support Fund,' she said of the session. The campaign offered spaza shop owners and township-based convenience store operators critical information on how to apply for both financial and non-financial support under the R500-million fund that was launched by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams in April. For Matome Tshabalala, the information received at the session was a game changer. He started his shop after the COVID-19 lockdown. 'I've always operated informally, but now I want to do things the right way. What stood out for me was the emphasis on record-keeping and understanding zoning laws. I also appreciated the introduction to stock management and bookkeeping,' he said. The campaign, which aims to formalise and support township-based enterprises, brought together local spaza shop owners, government officials and business development stakeholders. Compliance Participants at the session heard about the importance of compliance requirements for spaza shop permit applications. Matshepo Madumbo, the Assistant Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at Emfuleni Local Municipality, emphasised the importance of adhering to municipal regulations when applying for permits. 'Many residential areas are not zoned for commercial activity. For a spaza shop to operate legally, the property owner must apply for a rezoning certificate. Without that, the business cannot be recognised as compliant. 'I cannot stress the importance of submitting a stamped building plan, an occupancy certificate, certified identity document, a proof of address no older than three months, and registration documents from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) along with a valid tax clearance certificate,' she said. Madumbo noted that failure to comply with these requirements often leads to unnecessary delays and missed opportunities for funding and supplier networks. 'The Spaza Shop Support Campaign continues to rollout across provinces, ensuring that township entrepreneurs are not only included in the broader economic framework but are also equipped to thrive within it. 'By focusing on compliance, formalisation, and access to resources, the campaign is helping to level the playing field for small business owners in underserved communities,' said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
