Ratanda Spaza Business Forum launches
The aim is to bring all locally-owned spaza shops together.
Ratanda Mazibuya Kazi Spaza Shops, Business Forum held a meeting at the New Hall in Ratanda on February 7.
The Ratanda Mazibuya Kazi Spaza Shops, Business Forum is a new formation that wants to bring all locally-owned spaza shops under one umbrella.
In his opening remarks, Happy Nyawuza (the chairperson) said, “We want to move forward and see the community change their views of the spaza industry in Ratanda. We will work closely with established local businesses and the SAPS to ensure everything gets done above board and all legal aspects are covered. The aim is for all spaza shop owners to work together for the same goal and ensure all the legal rules and regulations are followed.”
To get that right, all locally-owned spaza shops must be registered on a database so that no business falls through the cracks.
“Each registered shop will have the Mazibuya logo displayed on their premises for all to see. It is important that local businesses need to be supported,” said Nyawuza.
Everything needs to be open to scrutiny and will be available for inspection to anyone wanting to do so.
Tshepo Mazibuko (executive member) said, “Each member will be required to contribute to membership to keep the administration up to date and to be able to get a security company contracted in.
That will ensure that all members can call on the security company in times of need. The more registered members, the stronger the forum will be. We all need to stand together against the foreign-owned businesses to ensure we can be taken seriously.”
“The spaza owners are being intimidated and attacked by ruthless people and crooked landlords. We need a localised economy and support all the businesses that will be part of the forum. That is the only way to ensure success,” said Bayanda Radebe (executive member).
The executive team is Nyawuza (chairperson), Tshepo Mazibuko, Radebe (secretary), Yvonne Lehodi, Mandla Ncoco (treasurer), Manqoba Ntombela (business advisor), Lebo Xoli and Junction Ramalema.