Soweto spaza shops and informal traders prepare for Gauteng summit
Business owners attended a workshop in Klipspruit to learn about compliance, business support and opportunities ahead of the Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Summit.
Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Workshop Prepares Businesses for Gauteng Summit
A spaza shop and informal traders workshop was hosted at the Klipspruit Sports Centre in Soweto on August 25, ahead of the Gauteng Spaza Shop and Informal Traders Summit and Expo 2026.
The workshop formed part of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development’s programme to encourage business owners to ensure their businesses are fully compliant, while also providing information on how to run a functional and profitable business.
ALSO READ: Pimville residents voice mixed views on closure of immigrant-run spaza shops
Benji Seitlhamo from the City of Johannesburg Department of Economic Development emphasised that the workshop was a build-up to the summit, which is set to take place on September 17 and 18, 2026.
“With this whole programme, we are not only touching on business compliance, but are also touching on things like business support in terms of grants and system support.
“We have different partners that will empower these people with the knowledge and information that they need, as well as the doors they need to knock on to make their businesses a success,” said Seitlhamo.
Spaza shop owner Selogilwe Sekwenyane said he is a regular attendee of such workshops and had also attended the previous session held in Norwood. He said he attended this latest session to receive feedback on compliance matters and challenges raised by shop owners during the previous workshop.
“These sessions are important, especially for us as residents, because we do not receive enough information in our communities. We need this information to help build the township economy. However, we also need our communities to support local businesses so that money circulates within our communities,” said Sekwenyane.
ALSO READ: Foreign-owned spaza shops close in Pimville and Eldorado Park as local businesses see rise in trade
Ward 20 Clr Cambridge Kwapeng emphasised the importance of the township economy, telling Urban News that although locals have been calling for “mabahambe”, they should ensure that when they get an opportunity to run their own businesses, they comply with the relevant requirements and have the necessary information to run a successful business.
Seitlhamo emphasised the importance of compliance, explaining that it is through compliance that business owners can gain access to support. He also encouraged business owners to attend future workshops.
