KZN spaza shop owners to benefit from bulk buying plan

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee Chairperson Mafika Mndebele says spaza shop owners will soon be able to purchase stock in bulk at reduced prices.
Mndebele was speaking ahead of the committee’s visit to assess the success of the Zimele Traders Fund, a financial support programme for spaza shops in the province.
A budget of R10 million has been allocated to the initiative, which aims to support 500 spaza shops across KwaZulu-Natal.
The committee is expected to visit spaza shops in Jozini, Mandeni, Umdoni and eThekwini over two days as part of the programme, in partnership with the Ithala Development Finance Corporation.
Mndebele says agreements have been reached with food producer Tiger Brands and small-scale farmers to improve access to affordable goods.
He says, “One of the things that was raised by our traders is that foreign nationals are able to sell at a cheaper rate because they are able to buy in bulks whereas they cannot be able to do that. We have then recommended that this Zimele Trade must also include warehouses which should be distributed across districts where different local traders will be able to go and get their goods very cheaply…”
“Already the agreement has been with Tiger Brands, including now working with certain small farmers so that they are able to bring their products in warehouse and then our traders are able to then access them cheap,” Mndebele adds.

MEC SIBONISO DUMA VISITS INANDA FOR ZIMELE TRADERS FUND DISBURSEMENT PROGRAMME.
Inanda Township welcomed Mr. Siboniso Duma, the MEC for @edtea_kzn , as he spearheaded the Zimele Traders Fund Disbursement Programme. pic.twitter.com/VA8ybCtJy5
— EDTEA KZN (@edtea_kzn) May 22, 2024

Spaza Shop Support Fund launch welcomed

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