Latest news with #townships
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Govt pays $335,634 from spaza shop fund
Government has so far disbursed R6m out of R500m in funding through the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF) to eligible spaza shops and other food-handling outlets. The fund, aimed at increasing the participation of South African-owned spaza shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector, was launched last month. 'This is moving in a slow pace due to all the parties that are involved in coordinating the work, which includes inspections, verification of citizenship as well as site and health inspections. 'The fund will assist shop owners that met the deadline for the registration of an operating permit,' Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni said during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, 29 May. It offers funding of up to R300,000 per shop through a combination of grants and low-interest loans. In addition, it allocates funding specifically for initial stock purchases, infrastructure improvements, business development tools, and Point of Sale (POS) system adoption. The fund is being administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (Sefda). Through the fund, shop owners will be provided with assistance in meeting hygiene and regulatory standards to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality products. Inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting Marking the countdown to the first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by the South African government and the United Nations Small Business Agency in Johannesburg, the Minister shared the vision and expected outcomes of the Ministerial meeting. Taking place from 22-24 July 2025, the Ministerial Meeting will serve as a dedicated platform for ministers and officials responsible for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to share strategic insights, shape future policies, and foster global consensus on the small business agenda. Countries from around the world have confirmed their participation, including Brazil, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Indonesia and Switzerland, among others. Nearly 50 countries are expected to be at the event. 'As a country, through the Department of Small Business Development, we are steadfast in our commitment to create a more enabling legislative and policy environment that empowers small businesses to grow, scale up, and compete on the global stage. 'In addition, we will galvanize a call-to-action to influence dialogues and decisions at the Group Twenty (G20) Summit under South Africa's leadership. We are unequivocal that the G20 needs a sharper MSME focus with its own dedicated Working Group, and we will use this Global Ministerial to bolster this position. 'We will also use this Global Ministerial to develop and activate strong partnerships across governments, multilateral institutions, and businesses. We do not want a talk- shop. We will emerge with practical initiatives that strengthen the global MSME support eco-system, as well as country-level partnerships that translate policy into action,' the Minister said. Startup20 Task Force The Department of Small Business Development will also be hosting the Startup20 Task Force planning sessions in the days preceding the Ministerial. This will provide the opportunity for Task Force leaders to share thinking with global MSME leaders beyond the G20. 'The challenges that small businesses face is vast and cannot be tackled by any one nation alone. Thus, I passionately urge governments, international agencies, development partners, and the private sector to join us in strengthening MSME ecosystems. 'Let us deepen our regional and global cooperation, share knowledge, and uplift MSMEs especially those led by women, youth, and persons with disabilities,' the Minister said. South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025 under the theme: Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.
Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Niël Barnard obituary: Afrikaner who helped to end apartheid
In the early 1980s South Africa's apartheid system appeared granite-firm, but its foundations were shaking. The country's white supremacist establishment faced a stark choice: full-scale military assault on the black liberation movement or a negotiated peace that would inevitably lead to black-majority rule. Niël Barnard, the director of South Africa's National Intelligence Service (NIS), was a key figure in convincing the apartheid regime to plump for the second option. He urged South Africa's president, his close friend PW Botha, to face reality: international sanctions were biting hard, while South Africa was increasingly isolated as popular support for the anti-apartheid movement increased globally. Unrest in the townships was moving towards civil war and as the decade progressed it became clear that the Cold War was ending
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Smartfill revolutionises food safety in informal markets amid alarming contamination crisis
Adopting sustainable solutions that save lives and reduce waste. Food safety in township markets has long been a pressing issue with informal trade networks handling more than 80% of staple food sales in the region. A report dated January 2025 reveals an alarming increase in food poisoning cases among children, especially in townships and informal settlements with Gauteng seeing 207 reported cases among children since early February 2024, 10 of which were fatal. While many lay blame at the spaza shops, there is a systemic failure at play. Smartfill offers an innovative solution that addresses this and is aimed at improving food safety while factoring affordability and sustainability challenges. Informal trade networks (spazas, dukas, etc), responsible for over 70% of staple food sales in Southern Africa, are the lifeline for millions of families. Yet, these markets are plagued by an alarming 20% food waste rate due to poor supply chains and damaged packaging. Nevo Hadas, CEO at Smartfill, believes their critical role is in improving food safety: "Food safety is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Informal markets are the lifeblood of low-income communities, and Smartfill ensures that consumers have access to fresh, safe, and affordable food. This is actually not just about food safety, it's about saving lives and restoring dignity to communities that have been left behind." Smartfill uses specialised, food-safe bulk containers that are sealed. These containers are made of reusable, tough plastic and are not damaged in the supply chain. The containers fit into smart dispensers in the spaza shops which are clearly branded. 'Customers can purchase the amount they want when they need it, as the dispensers hygienically measure the precise quantity they want,' says Marc Wetselaar, COO of Smartfill. 'By getting rid of all the unnecessary single-use packaging we not only make food cheaper, but also last longer.' The credibility and global success of Smartfill is underpinned by its backing from Transform, a partnership between the UK FCDO, Unilever, and EY. Through Transform's support, Smartfill is establishing 14 more refill-enabled stores and a low-emission distribution network in areas such as Tembisa, SA and Mtendere, Zambia. Smartfill's scalable model is now also being piloted internationally in Bangladesh and Kenya, further demonstrating its adaptability and impact. 'Smartfill represents the future of retail in underserved markets,' adds Hadas. 'It's about building solutions that create tangible, lasting impact in communities that need it most.' "Smartfill's innovative approach is not just a solution for today but a blueprint for transforming retail in underserved markets worldwide,' adds Hadas. 'From Tembisa to Dhaka, we are proving that sustainable, safe, and affordable food access is achievable everywhere." For more information on Smartfill, head here.
