By Noko Mashilo
The government has agreed to extend the registration deadline for spaza shops, following concerns raised by multiple local organisations that its demands were unrealistic. Initially, businessowners were given 21 days to register their shops. But the government has now given spaza shops and other food-handling outlets until 28 February 2025.
It says that municipal processes of adopting and adapting new by-laws are highly regulated and need a lot of consultation to complete. This is in line with warnings from the Black Entrepreneurs Alliance (BEA) that the deadlines were too tight and bureaucratic processes to complex. The BEA, which is a leading advocacy organisation, had called on the government to extend the registration deadline.
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Emphasising the principles of administrative justice and protections under Section 152 of the Constitution, the BEA asserts that the current approach places an undue burden on small business owners who are already navigating significant challenges. The BEA’s advocacy has become a beacon for fairness and inclusivity, highlighting the tension between policy implementation and grassroots entrepreneurship.
BEA CEO Refilwe Monageng told Vutivi News that the organisation submitted a memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, urging them to reconsider the deadline. “Despite the BEA’s efforts to assist members with the demanding registration process, many entrepreneurs are struggling to comply,” said Monageng.
He described the current process as fraught with ambiguity and complexity, citing zoning and density plan requirements as particular obstacles. “The lack of clarity on quality control measures to ensure consumer safety is another significant concern. We strongly recommend that the government make compliance more accessible and appealing, rather than a burdensome task,” he added.
Monageng explained that extending the deadline would give entrepreneurs with incomplete documents an opportunity to finalise their registrations. It would also enable additional workshops to educate business owners on completing application forms. “The legacy of an unregulated informal economy has left many entrepreneurs unprepared for such stringent compliance,” he said. Stressing the importance of community safety, Monageng urged the government to reconsider the deadline and provide essential support to these business owners. “We remain committed to advocating for entrepreneurs across South Africa and ensuring their voices are heard,” he stated.
Jabari Ahmad, a spaza shop owner in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, expressed his support for the BEA’s call for an extension, citing delays in receiving a zoning report from his landlord. “Once we get the feedback, we’ll be able to paint and renovate as required,” said Ahmad, originally from Egypt. As the debate continues, the BEA’s push for a fairer registration process underscores the need to balance regulatory frameworks with the realities faced by township entrepreneurs, the unsung drivers of South Africa’s economic resilience.
