‘Rise spaza shop rise’-Nkosi

President of the South African Spaza Shop and Tuckshop Association (SASTA) Rose Nkosi calls on spaza shop to be competent and goal-orientated.

Nkosi started the organisation over 10 years ago in a bid to help spaza shops maximise their potential.

She is particularly concerned with how small businesses in the township do not grow even after being in business for a long time.

This she blames on a lack of information, commitment, customer service and management of money.

“I am against being a small business forever.

“A spaza shop should be the end of growth but it should be the start of it for business owners.

“Friendliness and courtesy towards customers is one of the things that slow down progress and chucks customers away,” she said.

Nkosi said SASTA seeks to help spaza shops grow by using resources offered by the government but that people never know about these initiatives because they do not attend meetings.

“Ignorance is killing our people.

“Information has the power to change a business but spaza shop owners do not expose themselves to resources that may potentially make them successful.

“The government is giving out grants of R9 000 to start up a spaza shops but people do not know this.

“Free courses are being offered but people do not attend,” she said.